Abstract

A chatbot is a software application designed to simulate human conversation through digital devices. The term combines “chat,” referring to conversation, and “bot,” referring to a robot (Mansbart, 2024). Chatbots are applications of artificial intelligence that use natural-language processing to interpret and respond to user input (Investopedia Team, 2022; Aslam, 2023). Although widely used in business to respond to customer inquiries, chatbots may also provide accessible and interactive support in education. This study examined an AI chatbot as a tool for science instruction among Alternative Learning System students. The study used a quasi-experimental design with a quantitative approach to compare the outcomes of traditional and AI chatbot-assisted science teaching. It involved 30 Alternative Learning System (ALS) students from San Bartolome High School to assess the effectiveness of chatbots in enhancing science learning. Using purposive sampling, participants were intentionally selected based on their active engagement in science learning to provide relevant data for the research objectives. Among the 30 Alternative Learning System (ALS) students, pretest-to-posttest performance improved significantly (p < 0.05) after chatbot-assisted science instruction. Respondents perceived the chatbot as accessible, easy to use, and supportive of knowledge retention. Minor problems included connectivity limitations and distractions. The findings indicate that the AI chatbot supported students’ understanding, performance, and engagement. The findings indicate that AI chatbots can support science learning among ALS students by improving accessibility, engagement, and knowledge retention. Although connectivity and limited interactivity posed challenges, students adapted to the tool and demonstrated higher posttest performance. Effective design and teacher support are important for making chatbot-assisted learning inclusive and interactive.