‘Bow, the artificial intelligence (AI) Rainbow Warrior chatbot buddy, is ready to welcome undergraduates at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for the fall 2025 semester. Developed in partnership with EdSights, ‘Bow has been an invaluable pocket assistant since fall 2023, providing students a direct, year-round line to essential campus information.
At the beginning of each semester, ‘Bow proactively reaches out via text, inviting students to send any UH Mānoa-related questions his way. Behind the scenes, ʻBow collaborates with a dedicated team of human helpers in the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success (Student Success), who work together to provide accurate answers and connect students to vital campus resources. ‘Bow’s ʻike (knowledge) is continuously expanding and remains relevant as he gathers information from various campus experts, including departments such as Student Housing and Athletics.
“‘Bow has been such a convenient resource for me, from when I was a freshman, up until my senior year at UH Mānoa,” said Josslyn Rose, a senior majoring in journalism. “He gives quick responses, and I like that he does wellness checks to make sure I’m getting the support I need. He’s been a unique and helpful part of my student experience.”
To date, ‘Bow has received more than 150,000 text messages, and 93% of the student population has opted in to receive texts and updates from him.
More than a chatbot
Beyond simply answering questions, ‘Bow also conducts “temperature checks” to gauge student well-being, which includes mental health and academic progress. When a student expresses a need, ‘Bow connects them with relevant campus resources and alerts human staff members, ensuring that crucial human support is always available to provide comprehensive assistance.
“’Bow, our chatbot, has proven to be the ideal tool for our undergraduates,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “In two years, ‘Bow has been transformative, actively listening and connecting students to essential campus resources and real people. He guides them proactively through all aspects of university life, ensuring timely support and enriching their UH Mānoa journey.”
This commitment to student well-being is evident in the dedicated efforts of the Student Success team. Over the past academic year, the team launched 43 campaigns to gauge student well-being, resulting in approximately 8,600 students with identified needs being directly connected to the appropriate UH Mānoa resources and support services.
Student Success is deeply committed to student privacy and the ethical use of AI. In strict adherence to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines, authorized UH personnel ensure all student data collected by ‘Bow is securely handled. This rigorous approach guarantees a trustworthy and private experience for all users.
Expanding ‘Bow’s ʻohana
‘Bow’s ʻohana (family) is steadily growing. Plans are underway to create ‘siblings’—chatbots like ʻBow, but customized for each UH campus—so that students across the UH System can benefit from personalized, campus-specific support. One of ‘Bow’s siblings, Lehua, has already started working with UH Hilo students to identify any gaps in student support and provide AI assistance to better meet their needs.
To reach ‘Bow and his team at any time, email askbow@hawaii.edu, or visit his website, https://manoa.hawaii.edu/studentsuccess/know-about-bow/.
