The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is advancing its integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools by rolling out OpenAI’s ChatGPT Edu among its staff. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing AI journey, aimed at promoting the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies in academia.
Dr. Christine Burns, UNSW’s Chief Information Officer, emphasized, “AI isn’t just for technophiles, it’s for all of us.” The introduction of these tools is designed to enhance work processes, learning, research, and collaboration while ensuring a strong commitment to ethics, data protection, and academic integrity.
Key Details
UNSW has pioneered one of the most extensive AI pilot programs in higher education over the span of 2024–2025. During this period, faculty members tested various AI tools, including Copilot and ChatGPT, which contributed to shaping the safe, ethical, and effective application of AI in their work environments. A recurring theme from these pilots was the staff’s eagerness to build confidence in responsible AI usage, highlighting the necessity for ongoing training, governance, and support.
Building on the insights gained, UNSW IT is now providing licenses to staff cohorts as part of a phased rollout. This is one of the initial implementations of its kind within the Australian higher education sector, designed to enhance skillsets and confidence in real-world scenarios while capturing usage patterns, adoption rates, and broader impacts across the university.
Next Steps
- Access for staff (optional): Fixed-term and continuing staff can now opt in to request an OpenAI ChatGPT Edu license.
- Capability uplift: Those who receive a license are strongly encouraged to complete the AI Fundamentals course to further their understanding.
- Responsible use: All AI activities at UNSW are governed by the Information Governance Policy, the Responsible and Ethical AI Framework, and the Assurance Framework. Critical thinking remains essential in the use of AI tools.
- Experiment: After gaining access, staff are encouraged to explore the capabilities of ChatGPT. Users must sign in with their zID and Single Sign-On. This is intended as a sandbox environment to experiment and become comfortable using AI in daily activities.
By engaging with AI support tools and fostering AI literacy, UNSW aims to cultivate a future that is inclusive, ethical, and uniquely aligned with its institutional values.
Learn More
For additional training resources, FAQs, and updates on UNSW’s AI rollout, visit the AI Hub. This initiative underscores a strategic move within the academic sector to embrace AI technologies responsibly and effectively.
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