Implementing an AI Teaching Assistant for a Class in Motion Picture Engineering

Metadata

Publisher: SMPTE
Doc Type: Journal Article
Content Type: Original Research
Abbreviated Title: SMPTE Motion Imaging Jour.
Volume: 135, No. 4, pp. 51–62
Abstract: Since 2015, Trinity College Dublin has delivered a Master's-level “Motion Picture Engineering” (MPE) course uniquely combining core principles with cutting-edge developments in the field. In 2025, to address diverse student backgrounds, we developed a domain-specific AI Teaching Assistant (AI-TA) using Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). While RAG is well-established, this paper addresses practical implementation and classroom integration challenges, covering architecture, compliance, system tuning, prompt engineering, UI integration, and operational workload. The AI-TA was deployed to 43 MPE students over seven weeks during Spring 2025. Anonymous telemetry captured engagement patterns, and AI-assisted topic categorization facilitated query exploration for curriculum refinement. Exam outcomes showed no significant performance differences across usage levels, suggesting open-book assessments thoughtfully designed for AI accompaniment need not compromise academic integrity. Students found the AI-TA useful but remained cautious about its use as a tutoring substitute skeptical of its suitability for open-book exams. Our code is available on GitHub. i i https://github.com/sigmedia/ai-teaching-assistant
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
DOI: 10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723
ISSN: Print: 1545-0279 | Electronic: 2160-2492
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723
Author(s): Deirdre O'Regan
Anil C. Kokaram
Keyword(s): Motion Picture Engineering, Education, Artificial Intelligence, Retrieval Augmented Generation
Copyright: © 2026 SMPTE

Bibliographic Reference(s)

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Deirdre O'Regan and Anil C. Kokaram; Implementing an AI Teaching Assistant for a Class in Motion Picture Engineering, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 4 (pp. 51 to 62); SMPTE, 2026. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723

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Deirdre O&#x27;Regan and Anil C. Kokaram; Implementing an AI Teaching Assistant for a Class in Motion Picture Engineering, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 4 (pp. 51 to 62); SMPTE, 2026. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723

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<span class="citation">Deirdre O&#x27;Regan and Anil C. Kokaram; <cite>Implementing an AI Teaching Assistant for a Class in Motion Picture Engineering</cite>, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 4 (pp. 51 to 62); SMPTE, 2026. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723</a></span>

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Deirdre O'Regan and Anil C. Kokaram; Implementing an AI Teaching Assistant for a Class in Motion Picture Engineering, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 4 (pp. 51 to 62); SMPTE, 2026
doi: 10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723
url: https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723

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Deirdre O&#x27;Regan and Anil C. Kokaram; <cite id="bib-10-5594-jmi-2026-bgcm8723">Implementing an AI Teaching Assistant for a Class in Motion Picture Engineering</cite>, MIJ 2026, Volume 135, Number 4 (pp. 51 to 62); SMPTE, 2026
<span class="doi">10.5594/JMI.2026/BGCM8723</span>
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