In large university courses, students face challenges in mastering programming skills, which underlines the need for effective pedagogical support. The Artemis learning platform has been providing interactive learning through automated, individual feedback since 2016. It also offers fully personalized support with detailed explanations based on generative AI. The general availability of large language models enabled the creation of IRIS, a virtual assistant designed to offer context-sensitive support. Deployed as part of Artemis, IRIS is accessible to thousands of students. This presentation highlights the challenges of developing AI assistance in education and motivates ongoing research focused on analyzing student behavior and evaluating the impact on their learning experience.