Telegram + AI Bot for Assignment Reminders

In today’s educational landscape, teachers are constantly seeking ways to engage students beyond the classroom and foster responsible learning habits. One particularly effective method is the use of automated assignment reminders delivered through channels students already use daily. With the proliferation of messaging apps such as Telegram, educators now have the opportunity to automate and personalize reminders while leveraging the power of artificial intelligence for enhanced interaction. This tutorial provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for European educators looking to build a no-code Telegram bot using Manybot and OpenAI, with an emphasis on multilingual communication and ethical considerations.

Understanding the Need: Why Telegram and AI?

Telegram is renowned for its cross-platform accessibility, privacy features, and ease of use. Many secondary and higher education institutions in Europe already utilize Telegram for group communications, class announcements, and resource sharing. By integrating AI-driven bots, educators can automate routine reminders, answer frequently asked questions, and support students in multiple languages—without adding administrative burden.

“When technology removes barriers, educators can focus more on teaching and less on logistics.”

AI-powered bots also offer a scalable way to personalize student interactions, ensuring that assignment deadlines and important updates reach every learner, regardless of their preferred language or schedule.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Telegram Bot

Begin by creating a Telegram bot using the native BotFather tool:

• Open Telegram and search for @BotFather.
• Start a chat and send the command /newbot.
• Follow the prompts to name your bot and receive your unique API token.

This token will be necessary for integrating your bot with third-party services such as Manybot.

Choosing Manybot for No-Code Bot Management

Manybot (https://manybot.io/) offers an intuitive interface for creating and managing Telegram bots without programming skills. To link your Telegram bot to Manybot:

• Search for @Manybot in Telegram and start a chat.
• Follow the instructions to connect your bot using the API token you received from BotFather.
• Once connected, you can configure your bot’s commands, automated messages, and scheduling options directly within the Manybot interface.

Step 2: Designing AI-Powered Assignment Reminders

Integrating AI into your Telegram bot enables dynamic responses, personalized reminders, and multilingual support. For this, you can utilize OpenAI’s API to generate, translate, and adapt messages.

Connecting OpenAI with Your Manybot Workflow

While Manybot itself does not natively support direct OpenAI integration, you can bridge this gap using third-party automation tools like Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat). The typical workflow involves:

• Triggering an event in Manybot (e.g., a scheduled reminder or a student request).
• Sending the relevant data to OpenAI’s API for processing (such as generating a personalized message or translating content).
• Returning the AI-enhanced message back to Manybot, which then delivers it to the student via Telegram.

For detailed technical guidance, consult the API documentation of both Manybot and the automation tool you choose.

Template: Multilingual Assignment Reminder

To ensure inclusivity, your bot should provide assignment reminders in multiple languages. Below is a template set for English, German, French, and Spanish. These templates can be expanded according to your students’ needs.

English:
Reminder: Your assignment “{Assignment Name}” is due on {Due Date}. Please submit it via {Submission Platform}. If you need assistance, reply to this message or contact your instructor.

Deutsch:
Erinnerung: Deine Aufgabe „{Assignment Name}“ muss bis zum {Due Date} eingereicht werden. Bitte reiche sie über {Submission Platform} ein. Bei Fragen antworte einfach auf diese Nachricht oder kontaktiere deine Lehrkraft.

Français:
Rappel : Votre devoir « {Assignment Name} » doit être remis avant le {Due Date}. Veuillez le soumettre via {Submission Platform}. Pour toute question, répondez à ce message ou contactez votre enseignant.

Español:
Recordatorio: Tu tarea “{Assignment Name}” vence el {Due Date}. Por favor, entrégala a través de {Submission Platform}. Si necesitas ayuda, responde a este mensaje o contacta a tu instructor.

When using OpenAI’s API, you can automate translation by sending the assignment name, due date, and submission platform as variables, and selecting the appropriate language template based on the student’s preference or Telegram profile language code.

Step 3: Building an Opt-Out and Privacy-Respecting Experience

Ethical communication is essential, especially when using AI to automate interactions. European data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), require clear consent and easy ways for users to manage their preferences.

Implementing Opt-Out Instructions

Include a simple opt-out mechanism in every reminder message. A common approach is to provide a command like /stop or /unsubscribe that students can send to the bot. In Manybot, you can configure this as follows:

• Set up a command /unsubscribe that, when triggered, removes the student from the reminder list.
• Send a confirmation message in the student’s language, such as:
  You have been unsubscribed from assignment reminders. If this was a mistake, type /subscribe to rejoin.

Every reminder should include a brief note about how to opt out, in the appropriate language. For example:

English: To unsubscribe, type /unsubscribe at any time.
Deutsch: Um dich abzumelden, schreibe jederzeit /unsubscribe.
Français: Pour vous désabonner, tapez /unsubscribe à tout moment.
Español: Para cancelar la suscripción, envía /unsubscribe en cualquier momento.

Data Protection and User Consent

Before activating the bot for a new user, the first message should request explicit consent for receiving assignment reminders. For example:

Welcome! To receive assignment reminders, please reply YES. You can opt out any time with /unsubscribe. Your privacy is protected in accordance with GDPR.

Store only the minimum necessary data (e.g., Telegram user ID and language preference), and ensure that all personal information is handled securely.

Step 4: Scheduling and Customizing Reminders

With Manybot’s scheduling tools, you can set up recurring or one-time reminders for different classes, assignments, or student groups. Consider the following best practices:

• Personalization: Use variables such as the student’s name, assignment title, and due date to create a more engaging message.
• Timing: Schedule reminders at times when students are most likely to engage (e.g., late afternoon or early evening).
• Frequency: Avoid overwhelming students with too many reminders; one or two well-timed messages per assignment are usually sufficient.

Manybot allows you to create broadcasts for groups or private messages for individuals. Adapt your approach based on the sensitivity and urgency of the assignment.

Adding AI-Powered Q&A Capabilities

Beyond reminders, your Telegram bot can serve as a first-line support tool for students. By integrating with OpenAI, you can provide automated answers to common questions about assignments, deadlines, or course policies. For example:

• A student sends: “When is the next assignment due?”
• The bot queries OpenAI (with the relevant course data) and replies: “The next assignment, ‘Essay on European History’, is due on 14 June.”

This not only saves time for educators but also empowers students to seek help proactively.

Step 5: Evaluating and Improving Your Bot

Regular feedback and data-driven iteration are critical to the effectiveness of your Telegram + AI bot. Encourage students to share their experiences and suggestions for improvement. You can set up a /feedback command in Manybot to collect anonymous input.

“Technology in education is most successful when it evolves in response to real student needs.”

Analyze usage patterns to identify which messages are most helpful, which languages are in highest demand, and where students tend to opt out. Use these insights to refine your templates, timing, and AI responses.

Staying Up-to-Date with Legislation and Best Practices

European educators must keep abreast of evolving regulations concerning AI, data privacy, and automated communication. The European AI Act and GDPR provide clear guidelines on transparency, consent, and fairness. Make sure your bot:

• Clearly discloses when students are interacting with AI.
• Offers easy access to data management and opt-out features.
• Does not store or process sensitive personal data unless absolutely necessary.

Practical Tips for Educators

• Start Simple: Launch your bot with basic reminder functions in the most common languages, then expand as you become more comfortable.
• Collaborate: Work with colleagues to share templates, workflows, and best practices.
• Respect Diversity: Consider the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of your students when designing your messages and opt-out instructions.
• Test Thoroughly: Before rolling out your bot, test all features with a small group to ensure clarity and reliability.

Remember, your compassion and dedication are what make these technological tools truly impactful. By combining the reach of Telegram, the flexibility of Manybot, and the intelligence of OpenAI, you can create an assignment reminder system that is both efficient and deeply supportive of each student’s learning journey.