Oxford brings AI into the classroom

You don’t get to become a 900+-year-old institution without adapting to the times

Oxford University this month became the first UK organization of its kind to give students and staff access to ChatGPT Edu, a version of OpenAI’s chatbot built specifically for higher education.

The school says the move is aimed at teaching students, professors, and researchers to use AI responsibly while also amplifying their productivity. Or in other words: if you can’t beat the bots, join them.

What makes ChatGPT Edu different?

The education-focused model is built specifically for university life. Key features include:

• Enhanced power, with higher message limits enabling longer, more in-depth queries.
• Additional tools like data analysis, web browsing, file uploads, and document summarization.
• More customization, with the ability to create GPTs for courses, projects, or university departments.
• Extra privacy features aimed at ensuring all data shared with ChatGPT stays inside the institution.

Oxford says ChatGPT Edu will serve as a helpful tool for tutoring, grant-writing, résumé building, and streamlining faculty feedback.

Closer to home

A number of US universities have also signed up for ChatGPT Edu—including the California State University system, which earlier this year rolled out the educational AI across 23 campuses (covering nearly half-a-million students and faculty).

And students are already one step ahead: 85% of people studying at US colleges have utilized generative AI for coursework in the past year, with most saying they use it for brainstorming, tutoring, and exam prep.

Looking ahead…Analysts say the rate of AI adoption among colleges will likely increase in the near future to meet increased demand from students. A recent OpenAI report found that three in four higher-ed students across the US want training in how to use AI—but only one in four universities and colleges currently provide it.