MACQUARIE UNI REPLACES PSYCH CLASSES WITH AI CHATBOT

The chatbot handles weekly interactions in the psychology subjects, supplemented by online quizzes and optional tutorials. Virtual Peer is programmed to ask students questions and provide feedback as part of the curriculum. The university frames the shift as part of its digital learning strategy. However, academics have criticized similar initiatives across institutions, warning they accelerate staff reductions and erode core aspects of teaching roles. Critics argue that replacing human instructors removes mentorship, personalized feedback, and the interpersonal elements that define university education. The move joins other institutions experimenting with AI in classrooms, raising questions about the future structure of higher education and faculty employment. Macquarie has not disclosed whether the chatbot deployment will affect staffing levels in psychology departments.