LOWCOUNTRY, S.C. (WCIV) — Schools across the Lowcountry are using new Artificial Intelligence technology to help teach K-5 students the basics of reading comprehension and math.

“It’s become a little mascot,” said Laura Boccanfuso, CEO of ABii, which makes the AI robots and computer systems used in seven schools across the Lowcountry. The program includes a small robot which stands on students desks as well as computer software which powers the robot.

Audra Pinkyney, a teacher at St. James Santee Elementary and Middle School said she didn’t know what the program was, but it came with a promise of raising test scores for students.

The AI program is aimed at helping both students and teachers in the learning process.

“They never complain about coming to the ABii Lab,” said Leona Myers Miller, who also teaches at St. James Santee. “They ask ‘Mrs. Miller are we going to the ABii lab today? We’re like ‘yes, we’re going.'” laughed Miller.

The program uses students’ personalized accounts to track their progress by subject, as well as provides the data to educators to help guide teachers in what areas to support students.

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“ABii customizes the less that they’re getting so children feel that at the end of the day their needs are being met.” said Pickney.

The program uses the camera in the students computer to track eye movements and their attention span to help them stay on track.

“It’ll actually pause the math or reading lesson, call them out by name, and say, ‘hey you’re not paying attention let’s make sure we’re staying focused before we move on to the next problem.'” said Boccanfuso.

Boccanfuso said there could be concerns with AI in the classroom, but said it is not replacing educators by any means, calling the program a tool that it is meant to empower teachers and give them the ability to do more in their classroom.

And according to some teachers, it’s working.

“First graders who use the lab are moving up into second grade early, “said Miller, “The Abii lab has really helped them reach the goals they needed to reach in the first grade and start them with a solid foundation in the second grade.”

ABii creators hope to spread the ABii system into even more schools across the Lowcountry.