UK's Oxford University Makes History by Offering ChatGPT Education Platform to All Staff Members and Students
Oxford University Embraces Generative AI with Free ChatGPT Edu Access for All
In an ambitious move towards digital transformation, the University of Oxford has announced that it will provide free access to ChatGPT Edu for all its staff and students starting this academic year. This decision marks a significant step in the university's collaboration with OpenAI and its commitment to harnessing the potential of generative AI.
The university aims to accelerate research, improve operational efficiency, and enhance teaching and research services through the use of generative AI. To ensure its responsible and ethical application, the university has developed a comprehensive training and guidance programme. This programme emphasizes ethical usage, critical thinking, and responsible application of the technology.
Professor Anne Trefethen, the University of Oxford's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Digital, stated that this move is part of the university's ongoing collaboration with OpenAI and its digital transformation efforts. She added that this decision aligns with the university's mission to equip all its students, academics, and staff with the AI skills, tools, and training they need to benefit from this transformative technology and succeed in the AI era.
Sarah Friar, Chief Financial Officer at OpenAI, expressed pride in seeing the university equipping all its community members with the AI skills, tools, and training they need to succeed in the AI era. Jayna Devani, International Education Lead at OpenAI, stated that Oxford University is setting a new standard for how AI can enrich higher education.
The flagship GPT-5 model from OpenAI will be provided across the university and Oxford Colleges through ChatGPT Edu. Departments also have the option to purchase additional Copilot for Microsoft365 licences. A new Digital Governance Unit has been created within the university’s central services to oversee the adoption of new technologies in a rapidly evolving landscape.
An AI Governance Group has been established to oversee the adoption of new technologies, and pilots are underway to digitize the Bodleian Libraries' collections using AI tools. Secure and supported access to other leading generative AI tools, such as Copilot Chat through Microsoft’s Nexus365 and Gemini and NotebookLM through the university’s Google workspace, is also provided.
ChatGPT Edu, a version of ChatGPT built for universities, includes enterprise-level security and controls. Professor Freya Johnston, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the university, stated that university-wide access to ChatGPT Edu will support the development of rigorous academic skills and digital literacy. The platform offers enhanced privacy and information security, ensuring that data is retained within the university.
Furthermore, a jointly funded research programme between the Oxford Martin School and OpenAI is planned to explore the societal impact of the development and widespread use of generative AI. An open call for proposals from within the university for the research programme will be made during the 2025/26 academic year. There are also ongoing plans for continuous review of tailored guidance on the use of AI tools in research, study, communications, and for the delivery of student assessments.
The University of Warwick has already made ChatGPT Edu available for free to all its staff and students, becoming the first higher education center in the United Kingdom to offer this tutoring system in the academic year. This move by Oxford University is expected to further boost its position as a global leader in the adoption and exploration of generative AI in higher education.
