The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD) and the Journalistic Learning Initiative (JLI), has launched “Sassy,” an AI-powered career exploration coach that is designed to assist Oregon students in navigating career planning.
The tool, named after Sasquatch, the legendary “Bigfoot” humanoid creature said to dwell in Oregon’s untamed and wooded regions, lives within CareerConnectOregon.org, the state’s resource and communication hub for educators, students, parents, families and caregivers, and industry partners.
The tool was developed based on ODE’s extensive documentation on career-connected learning and work-based learning. The tool’s developers said that Sassy provides “invaluable assistance” at every step of the career exploration process.
In terms of using the new tool, ODE believes that educators and institutions will be able to “seamlessly” integrate Sassy into their career advising and educational programs, enriching classroom activities, workshops, and individual advising sessions with comprehensive guidance. Additionally, the developers believe that Sassy’s ability to stay up-to-date with the latest information from trusted sources ensures that students receive guidance rooted in Oregon’s unique economic, cultural, and educational context.
Sassy was developed by JLI’s executive director Ed Madison, who is an associate professor at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. Madison worked with MIT Media Lab researchers at PlayLab.ai. JLI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through innovative educational programs and resources, said Sassy represents a fusion of cutting-edge technology and educational expertise.
