THE UTILIZATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A VIRTUAL TUTOR IN BASIC PROGRAMMING LEARNING

Abstrak

This study aims to analyze the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a virtual tutor for basic programming instruction at Bumi Persada University. The research was conducted in January 2025, involving 27 students from the Informatics Education study program. A descriptive qualitative approach, combined with pre- and post-test measurements, was employed. Data were collected through tests, observations, and interviews. The results showed that the use of AI as a virtual tutor improved students' understanding of algorithm logic, programming structures, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, students experienced higher learning motivation due to the interactive and adaptive nature of the learning process. Challenges identified included limited device infrastructure and the tendency of some students to become overly dependent on solutions provided by AI. This research contributes to the understanding of AI integration in informatics education and provides practical insights for implementing AI-based virtual tutors to enhance the quality of basic programming instruction.