In October 2025, the AI Technical Team deployed the AI Website Assistant to provide real-time, conversational answers to faculty, staff and students using content from the official ai.appstate.edu website.
Key features
The AI Website Assistant is an AI-powered chatbot that
- Provides conversational interaction: An easy way for visitors to find information on App State’s AI initiatives, tools and guidance
- Enhances the user experience: In comparison to traditional navigation and search
- Demonstrates advanced AI capabilities: By drawing from multiple, nested web pages throughout the site
- Surfaces up-to-date information: Automatically refreshed with the latest content from ai.appstate.edu to ensure accurate, current responses
- Uses Azure AI: Built on Microsoft’s secure Azure platform and configured as a Copilot Studio Agent to deliver reliable, intelligent and scalable conversation
- Integrates seamlessly: Integrated through a lightweight chat interface that can be replicated
Visit ai.appstate.edu and start a conversation to find the information you need.
Implementation
This project lays the groundwork for website assistant chatbots that can stay current with real-time website updates. The framework is designed to be easily deployed, representing a significant step toward making reliable, AI-powered assistants.
There is a cost associated with the use of Azure AI for this purpose, which is anticipated to be lower than third-party integrations, but will vary depending on utilization.
AI Technical Team
The AI Website Assistant reflects the ongoing work of the Technical Team, a working group of the AI Enablement Team, to advance AI literacy and innovation at App State. This tool was developed under the leadership of Michelle Melton (business & technical applications specialist, ITS–Academic Technologies), in collaboration with
- Carson Patterson (AI intern),
- Michael Friese (AI and data governance business analyst, ITS–project management),
- Tobi Azeez (bioinformatics engineer, ITS–systems and research computing), and
- Elle Smith (knowledge management specialist, ITS–office of the CIO).
Questions
For questions regarding the AI Website Assistant or the AI Technical Team’s ongoing work, contact Michelle Melton at meltonml@appstate.edu.
Learn more
About the AI Enablement Team
The AI Enablement Team was established by ITS in collaboration with our university partners to promote AI literacy, enhance teaching, learning and administrative efficiency, support research and foster innovation.
AI chatbot buddy
