AI-Powered Tutor Uses Google Cloud to Generate Learning Activities

In collaboration with Google Cloud, Walden University has created a new tool that uses artificial intelligence to help students review and master course concepts. The technology, which the institution is calling an AI-powered tutor named "Julian," taps into Google Cloud's AI and machine learning capabilities to generate a variety of on-demand learning activities.

When an instructor loads course content into Julian and details the specific competencies — or "learning units" — required, the tool indexes the content and links each learning unit back to the related course content. The indexing and linking is reviewed by the instructor for quality assurance, and then the tool automatically generates questions, paraphrase practice, knowledge notes and other learning activities for students, delivered via chat functionality. As students complete activities the tool evaluates their responses and provides feedback.  

"While students gain knowledge in their programs, they can use Julian, the Walden AI-powered tutor, to reinforce concepts and identify learning gaps," explained Karthik Venkatesh, chief information officer at Walden, in a statement. "Students will see a new set of activities generated by the AI-powered tutor every time they interact with the tool. It also creates educational notes for the student, which they can reference throughout the program and beyond."

In early tests at Walden, students who tried Julian said that it was "a good addition to their learning process," according to a university statement, and particularly useful in "adding to their knowledge on various concepts and for completing assignments."

"At various points in the academic term, we found that different features became even more important for students," noted Steven Tom, chief transformation officer at Walden. "Earlier in the term, the knowledge notes feature was more valuable. Later in the term, having the tool quiz them and assess their knowledge mastery became more valuable. We are using student feedback to work on the next iteration and will test the Walden AI-powered tutor on a wider group of students."

A webinar providing a demo of the tool is available on demand here.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • row of students using computers in a library

    A Return to Openness: Apereo Examines Sustainability in Open Source

    Surprisingly, on many of our campuses, even the IT leadership responsible for the lion's share of technology deployments doesn't realize the extent to which the institution is dependent on open source. And that lack of awareness can be a threat to campuses.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    OpenAI Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • cloud icon with a padlock overlay set against a digital background featuring binary code and network nodes

    New Cloud Security Auditing Tool Utilizes AI to Validate Providers' Security Assessments

    The Cloud Security Alliance has announced a new artificial intelligence-powered system that automates the validation of cloud service providers' (CSPs) security assessments, aiming to improve transparency and trust across the cloud computing landscape.

  • geometric grid of colorful faculty silhouettes using laptops

    Top 3 Faculty Uses of Gen AI

    A new report from Anthropic provides insights into how higher education faculty are using generative AI, both in and out of the classroom.