IMPLEMENTATION OF INTELLIGENT CHATBOT AND RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM TO HELP STUDENTS CHOOSE MAJORS AT SMK NEGERI 7 MEDAN

Abstract

This study aims to develop an artificial intelligence-based chatbot system specifically designed to improve the quality of educational information services at SMK Negeri 7 Medan. The background of this study is that the information service system is still manual and limited to working hours, often resulting in delayed responses, especially for students and parents who need quick access to school information. Therefore, the proposed solution is the development of a chatbot that utilizes Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology to understand students' everyday language, including abbreviations and common terms. This chatbot is capable of providing 24/7 service and can be accessed through the school's website. System testing shows that the chatbot can respond to questions in less than 3 seconds and can serve up to 30 users simultaneously. Additionally, the chatbot successfully provides relevant answers to common questions about academic programs, facilities, and extracurricular activities. With the implementation of this system, SMK Negeri 7 Medan can improve communication efficiency and provide faster, more practical, and easily accessible information to all stakeholders, without relying on working hours or limited human resources. This research is expected to serve as a foundational step in the digital transformation of educational information services at the vocational high school level.