Reqcraft: An AI-Based Interview Simulator to Support Requirements Elicitation Learning in Software Engineering Education

Context: Teaching requirements elicitation remains challenging in Software Engineering education, as it requires the development of communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills in realistic settings.  Goal: This paper presents and evaluates Reqcraft, an AI-based interview simulator designed to support students’ learning of requirements elicitation through interactive and realistic client simulations. Method: We conducted a mixed-methods study with 100 undergraduate students enrolled in Requirements Engineering courses. Data were collected through a survey combining Likert-scale questions and open-ended responses, and complemented with interviews with two experienced instructors.  Results: The results indicate that Reqcraft improves students’ understanding of the elicitation process, enhances their ability to formulate questions, and supports the identification of functional and non-functional requirements. Students reported high levels of engagement and perceived realism, while instructors highlighted improvements in communication and collaborative learning. Some limitations were observed, particularly related to system performance and interaction constraints. Conclusion: AI-based simulators such as Reqcraft represent a promising approach to complement traditional teaching methods in Requirements Engineering by providing scalable, interactive, and practice-oriented learning experiences.