The University of Utah has launched OpenAI’s ChatGPT Edu, a version of the revolutionary generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool specifically designed for higher education and securely deployed for university use. Students, faculty and staff can request access to the tool via University IT’s Service Catalog and they’ll receive an email with login instructions.

“We’ve been steadily building a foundation for responsible AI across campus, and ChatGPT Edu represents a major leap forward,” Chief AI Officer Manish Parashar said. “The U is at the forefront of reimagining how we teach, learn and research in the age of generative AI, and ChatGPT Edu will help us maintain an edge. We’re excited for our community to use this tool in a way that’s secure, optimized for academic work and aligned with our values.”

As the university vets and deploys AI-powered tools for university work, protecting data is a top priority. With ChatGPT Edu, no university data is used to train the tool, and university-wide security measures make it safer to use than personal accounts.

Guidelines

• For all university-related tasks, use your ChatGPT Edu instance rather than a personal ChatGPT account. This ensures you have access to the university’s enhanced features, higher data privacy standards and academic-focused optimizations—helping you get the most out of ChatGPT while keeping your work secure and aligned with university guidelines.
• ChatGPT Edu can be used for any work that doesn’t contain sensitive or restricted data, as defined by university rules. Hospital and clinic personnel don’t yet have permission to use the tool—access for these environments is being evaluated separately to meet health-care data protection requirements.
• Review university AI guidelines and policies for more information on how to use AI responsibly and effectively.

What’s Included in ChatGPT Edu

• The latest OpenAI models, advanced data analysis, search and multimodal capabilities: Use state-of-the-art AI to gather insights, access real-time information and collaborate through text, voice and images.
• Canvas & custom GPTs: Collaborate with ChatGPT for writing, coding and brainstorming. You can also create tailored AI experiences for specific needs.
• AI image generation: Create visuals from simple descriptions for presentations, projects and more—no design skills required.
• Coming soon: The university will work with OpenAI to create a process for users to buy credits to access ChatGPT’s advanced features. Final details will be shared via the AI Office’s email list.

Training Resources

• The university is partnering with OpenAI to offer a campus-wide ChatGPT Essentials virtual training at noon on Friday, Jan. 23. Sign up for the Zoom webinar. The recording will also be shared on ai.utah.edu.
• OpenAI will train more than 100 faculty, staff and students by Dec. 8 to lead additional sessions that begin in January—watch for announcements from your department and official university channels.
• View sample prompts for students and faculty.
• Attend ChatGPT’s webinar series to learn best practices and get the most out of the tool.
  • ChatGPT 101: A Guide to Your AI Super Assistant (Live Session | Recording) 
  • ChatGPT 102: Leveraging AI to do Your Best Work (Live Session | Recording)

Since President Taylor Randall’s launch of the One-U Responsible AI Initiative in late 2023 and the establishment of the AI Office earlier this year, the university has rapidly advanced its mission to leverage AI for societal impact. Departments across campus are integrating AI into research, operations, and teaching, with new academic programs announced this fall and more on the way. The Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence has also been instrumental in helping faculty harness AI to enhance learning outcomes. ChatGPT Edu’s launch provides the campus community with a powerful, secure tool that builds on these efforts and accelerates the university’s leadership in responsible, impactful AI adoption.

Community members can sign up for email updates from the AI Office for the latest on when new tools are approved, new guidelines are issued and more.

• Kelly Hermans Communications manager Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute
  ‭(706) 296-8037‬ kelly.hermans@utah.edu