ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Educ.
Sec. Digital Education
Volume 10 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/feduc.2025.1712743
This article is part of the Research TopicGenerative AI Tools & Software for EducationView all articles
Students' interactions with an Artificial Intelligence assistant in a Remote Chemistry Laboratory
Provisionally accepted
Fiorella Lizano-Sánchez1*
Ignacio Julio Idoyaga2
Pablo Orduna3
Luis Rodriguez-Gil4
Carlos Arguedas-Matarrita1- 1Universidad Estatal a Distancia, San José, Costa Rica
- 2Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 3LabsLand, San Francisco, United States
- 4LabsLand, Bilbao, Spain
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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has demonstrated potential for solving individualised learning challenges, particularly through virtual assistants in natural science subjects. This study analyses students' interactions with an intelligent assistant integrated into the acid-base titration II remote laboratory to characterise learning needs and identify assigned roles during experimental activities. The intelligent assistant utilised OpenAI GPT-4o, customized with laboratory-specific information. The analysis of interactions was carried out using a mixed methodology combining content analysis with descriptive statistical analysis. The interactions were systematically categorised, revealing four main dimensions in the use of the assistant which are development of remote experiences, data processing, application and conceptual understanding, and guidance for the preparation of laboratory reports. Students positioned the assistant mainly as a tutor for procedural and calculation support, a conceptual support resource connecting experimental practice with theoretical understanding, and a mediator in scientific communication for report elaboration. This role diversification responded directly to students' main difficulties in experimental procedures, concentration calculations, theoretical understanding, and scientific writing. The study validates the necessity of AI-powered pedagogical support, demonstrating the versatility of artificial intelligence in remote laboratories.
Keywords: artificial intelligence, Remote laboratories, chemistry education, Intelligent Assistant, student learning support
Received: 25 Sep 2025; Accepted: 20 Oct 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Lizano-Sánchez, Idoyaga, Orduna, Rodriguez-Gil and Arguedas-Matarrita. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Fiorella Lizano-Sánchez, flizanos@uned.ac.cr
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