Andover College Digital students take on real-world AI challenge with AiGentic Lab
Digital students at Andover College are putting their skills into practice as they take on an exciting industry project to develop an AI-powered chatbot designed to help students and parents access transport and timetable information more easily.
Led by Vasilij Nevlev, founder of AiGentic Lab, the project offers Digital T Level Software Development students an exciting opportunity to put their skills into practice by tackling a real-world customer brief.
The opportunity was organised by Andover College Industry Placements Team working in partnership with AiGentic Lab to give learners incredible experience of how digital projects are developed and delivered in industry.
Working as a small team, students will design and build an AI Transport & Timetable Assistant Chatbot, which aims to provide quick, clear and accurate answers to common questions about travelling to and from Andover College.
The chatbot will use information provided by the College to answer routine enquiries, including questions about college coach costs, transport and timetables. An important part of the project will be ensuring the chatbot recognises when it cannot confidently answer a question and directs the user to a member of staff for further support.
Rather than simply building the technology, students will experience different stages of a professional software development project. This includes gathering requirements from students, parents and College staff, planning conversation flows, identifying appropriate data sources, developing the chatbot and testing its accuracy and usability.
Vasilij Nevlev, Founder of AiGentic Lab, will support the students throughout the project, providing the initial industry brief, mentoring on AI tools and approaches, progress reviews and structured feedback on the students’ final presentation.
Livvy Hall, Work Placement Liaison Officer at Andover College, said:
“We’re excited to be working with Vasilij at AiGentic Lab, giving our students the opportunity to tackle a real-world project as a team.
When our students’ complete industry work placements, they have the invaluable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and contribute to established teams. What this project adds, is the unique chance for the students to take complete ownership of their work, growing their confidence and independence as young professionals.
With the chance to draw on Vasilij’s expertise and guidance, they are learning to find solutions, adapt and grow their knowledge base when there is no answer book!
In an ever changing industry where life-long learning is key, these experiences help bridge the gap between education and employment, developing confident, adaptable young professionals who are equipped with the skills to grow outside of the classroom.”
The project also gives students the opportunity to explore the rapidly developing world of artificial intelligence while strengthening wider employability skills including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, project planning and responding to feedback.
Vasilij Nevlev, Founder of AiGentic Lab, said:
“Most businesses are still guessing at what AI can actually do for them. These students will find out for themselves, by building something real for a real client under real constraints. That teaches more than any course can. What I want is for them to leave this project able to walk into a business, spot a process that is wasting people’s time, and build something that fixes it using modern AI technology stack.”
By the end of the project, the students are expected to have developed a functional chatbot, completed accuracy and usability testing, produced supporting technical documentation and presented their solution and recommendations.
The collaboration demonstrates Andover College’s commitment to connecting education with industry and giving students opportunities to develop the practical skills and experience needed for their future careers. We’re continually investing in our facilities and curriculum to prepare students for the careers of the future. Our partnership with AiGentic Lab is a great example of how we’re responding to local industry needs and giving students access to relevant, future-focused learning. Find out more at our next Open Event.
If as an employer, you’d love to create real industry projects with us, get in touch by sending an email to ip@sparsholt.ac.uk
Book your spot here: https://www.andover.ac.uk/book-open-events/