Jordan Garner, director of the Center for Student Engagement and Success, answered questions about the Dunker AI chatbot during Wednesday’s Student Senate meeting.

Garner addressed concerns previously raised about Dunker’s energy usage. Contrasting it with ChatGPT, Garner said Dunker was not a generative AI, but instead a retrieval AI. When responding to queries, the chatbot draws upon Murray State University’s websites and databases for information. This renders Dunker unable to create media as other AI softwares are capable of, merely redirecting the user to services that can assist them. Garner said this greatly reduced Dunker’s energy usage.

“The department that manufactured it told us that it takes the same amount of energy as doing a Google search,” Garner said.

Responding to a question about the number of students using Dunker, Garner said 92% are currently opted into the program. All students with a phone number were automatically opted into service with Dunker during its launch on Feb. 17. To opt out, students must manually text the number to stop receiving messages. Garner said this percentage only accounts for those who asked the number to stop, and not those who blocked it.

The chatbot has seen significant use since its launch, Garner said.

“I don’t know how accurate that number (of users) is,” Garner said. “Off the top of my head we have seen about 5,000+ text messages and questions so far and we’re only a few months in since we launched in February.”

Incoming SGA president and Senate Elections, Ways and Means Director Cesar Villeda asked Garner if Dunker is slated to receive any updates in the future. Garner said EdSights, the company that produced the chatbot, is not planning to enroll any updates as of now.