Meet CoCo: Your New AI Study Buddy (That Never Sleeps)
Starting this month, college students across the country—including right here in East Tennessee—may start seeing a new digital face pop up in their campus apps: a helpful, big-eyed chameleon named CoCo.
CoCo is short for “The College Companion,” an AI-powered assistant just launched by education tech company Gray DI. Designed to support students around the clock, CoCo helps with everything from organizing your schedule and answering class-related questions to prepping for job interviews—and it speaks over 30 languages.
What Makes CoCo Different?
CoCo isn’t just another chatbot. It’s built to feel like a real part of your college journey—cheering you on when you hit a milestone, giving a heads-up when something’s off, and offering help when you’re stuck. It’s always around but never in the way.
The mascot, a chameleon, was chosen on purpose. Like the adaptable reptile, CoCo:
Sees the full picture – It can recognize patterns in your schedule or assignments and help you stay on track.
Blends in – It takes on your school’s branding so it feels like your school’s own custom tool.
Supports quietly – It doesn’t just talk at you; it shows up when you actually need help.
Feels human – With expressive features and friendly reactions, it’s designed to feel more like a companion than a tool.
Where You’ll See CoCo
CoCo is being added to apps that some schools already use to manage things like tutoring, class schedules, or career support. Over time, it may become the go-to guide for everything campus-related.
Here’s what it can help with:
Onboarding: First time logging into your college portal? CoCo gives you a tour.
Study help: Get support during tough assignments or when you don’t know where to turn.
Milestones: Just aced your midterms or submitted your résumé? CoCo’s there with a virtual thumbs-up.
Warnings: If something’s not right—like a missed deadline or system error—it’ll flag it.
Gray DI, the company behind CoCo, says it’s all about making powerful tools actually feel helpful. “We designed CoCo to feel like part of the team,” said Gray DI founder Bob Atkins. “Students shouldn’t feel like they’re alone trying to navigate school or their future careers.”
Bottom Line for Students in East Tennessee
If you’re attending a local college or university and suddenly see a friendly chameleon offering tips or reminders, don’t be surprised. That’s CoCo—your new college companion.
It won’t write your papers or take your exams, but it might just help you get through the semester a little more smoothly.
Source: Gray Decision Intelligence via PR Newswire, July 14, 2025 .
