Named after Paula Ben-Gurion, the wife of Israel’s first prime minister, POLA complements the university’s human admissions advisors by providing instant, professional guidance on degree programs, admission requirements, required documentation, and academic pathways – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For many prospective students, the question “What should I study?” is far more than a casual inquiry. It is a life-defining decision that can shape their future careers and personal aspirations. Recognizing the importance of this moment, Ben-Gurion University developed ASK POLA to provide accessible, personalized guidance from the very beginning of the decision-making process.
The AI advisor helps users identify degree programs that best match their interests and goals, while those who have already chosen a field of study can receive immediate answers about available academic programs, combined degree options, admissions procedures, scholarships, student housing, and other aspects of university life.
Powered by advanced large language models (LLMs), ASK POLA can also interpret and analyze applicant documents, including matriculation certificates, while connecting directly to university systems to retrieve real-time information. When a question requires personal attention, the platform seamlessly directs prospective students to the appropriate university representative.
At this stage, ASK POLA provides guidance for undergraduate admissions only, with plans to expand its capabilities in the future.
The launch marks another milestone in Ben-Gurion University’s broader investment in artificial intelligence. Recent initiatives include the introduction of a new B.Sc. program in Artificial Intelligence, the establishment of the Stein Faculty of Computer Science and Information Systems, and the creation of the university’s AI Institute for executive education. With ASK POLA, artificial intelligence now becomes an integral part of the student recruitment experience, making the path to higher education smarter, more accessible, and more personalized.
“For us, artificial intelligence is not merely a tool; it is a mindset that is reshaping the way a university operates,” said Tal Ben-Haim, CEO of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. “From marketing and student recruitment to student services and internal operations, we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, implementing innovation that creates real value for prospective students, current students, and the university as a whole.”
Roni Bahat, Vice President for Marketing and Digital, said the project was born out of the understanding that the applicant experience is an essential part of the university’s brand.
“In a world where prospective students expect immediate, accurate, and accessible answers, our goal is to reduce friction throughout the applicant journey and create an advanced customer experience that combines intelligent technology with the personal guidance of our admissions advisors.”
Why “POLA”?
According to Bahat, the name carries a dual meaning.
First, POLA stands for Personal Online Learning Advisor, a digital advisor designed to accompany prospective students throughout their admissions journey, answer questions, simplify the application process, and help them make informed decisions.
Second, the name pays tribute to Paula Ben-Gurion, wife of David Ben-Gurion, who was widely regarded as a strong, influential figure and trusted advisor.
“The name reflects not only innovation and technology, but also the values of personal guidance, presence, care, and support that we aim to bring to every prospective student’s experience,” Bahat explained.
The project was developed jointly by the university’s Marketing Division and the Computing and Cyber Division.
Alon Strasman, Head of Digital in the Computing and Cyber Division, emphasized that ASK POLA is far more than a conventional chatbot.
“This project was built with a commitment to accuracy, reliability, and high-quality data. Our goal is to provide prospective students with trustworthy information drawn from official university sources, while delivering it in natural, conversational language. We are proud to launch an innovative platform that will support thousands of conversations and offer an advanced, intuitive, and always-available service experience.”
