One New Thing: Stanford’s AI Tutor CoPilot Proves Tech Can Enhance Human Teaching
May 28, 2026
Higher ed expert Melissa Morriss-Olson shares her latest EdTech innovation rave.
A research team at Stanford University has developed Tutor CoPilot, an artificial intelligence-powered tool to support human tutors in real time during student learning sessions. The system provides suggested responses and prompts that help guide the interaction, enabling tutors to ask more effective questions and provide more targeted support. The tool is designed to strengthen instructional quality while preserving the human connection at the center of the learning experience.
In a randomized controlled trial, students working with tutors using Tutor CoPilot were more likely to master course material, with the strongest gains seen among students matched with less-experienced tutors. In this way, the technology is not simply increasing access to tutoring but improving its effectiveness. This approach reflects a more nuanced use of AI: one that enhances human expertise and expands the reach of high-quality teaching.
