OpenAI is actively seeking undergraduate student organizers across the United States and Canada to join its ChatGPT Lab, expanding an initiative aimed at integrating real campus AI use cases into product development. This recruitment drive was announced in a LinkedIn post from ChatGPT for Education, which stated, “We’re looking for AI-curious student leaders to join the next ChatGPT Lab cohort in US & Canada.” The post highlighted that over 70 universities have already participated in the Lab’s “100 Chats” project, with the new cohort expected to refresh this initiative with contemporary campus insights.
Applications for the program will remain open until March 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm PT. The ChatGPT Lab serves as a bridge between undergraduate students and OpenAI, allowing students to document the practical applications of ChatGPT in academic settings. Organizers will lead peer-driven events, gather feedback from fellow students, and relay those findings to the OpenAI team.
The existing network encompasses more than 70 campuses, including well-known institutions such as Arizona State University, Columbia University, Duke University, the University of Michigan, and Yale University. Selected organizers will participate in weekly calls throughout March and April, host at least one ChatGPT Lab event on their campus, and commit approximately two to three hours each week to collect and report student experiences. The focus of these activities will be on everyday ChatGPT usage in learning, creativity, and student life, steering clear of coding or API-based applications.
Participants in the program will receive several benefits, including a six-month subscription to ChatGPT Plus, access to a Slack community, public recognition for their efforts, and resources to support their campus events. The initiative aims to empower students, positioning them as not only users of AI but also active contributors to its development. This approach allows OpenAI to tap directly into peer networks, gaining deeper insights into how AI tools are utilized in various academic contexts.
The “100 Chats” project, a key component of the ChatGPT Lab, aims to document actual usage scenarios of ChatGPT among students on campuses. According to the LinkedIn announcement, the goal is to uncover “the most valuable, emergent use cases from peer-led gatherings and turning them into stories that help shape how students understand and use AI.” This strategy fosters a collaborative environment where student organizers can drive conversations about AI’s role in education and everyday life.
As the new cohort prepares to begin onboarding in early March 2026, this initiative underscores a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies increasingly seek direct engagement with end-users to inform product development. By establishing this feedback network, OpenAI aims to refine its offerings based on genuine student experiences and needs.
In addition to this initiative, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 have also been announced, recognizing educational technology organizations that demonstrate measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. These awards welcome submissions from the UK, the Americas, and beyond, with entries evaluated based on evidence of outcomes and practical applications.
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