The broad access to ChatGPT will allow CSU students to integrate AI into their studies, while faculty can use it to streamline administrative tasks, freeing up more time for teaching and research. This initiative will enhance the CSU experience and equip students with essential AI skills to succeed in an increasingly AI-literate workforce⁠(opens in a new window) and succeed in an increasingly AI-driven U.S. economy through AI initiatives⁠(opens in a new window) like:

Just two years after its launch, ChatGPT supports over 300 million weekly active users worldwide. Among its most popular uses is learning. Students and lifelong learners rely on ChatGPT for tutoring, personalized access to information across different formats and languages, and the flexibility to explore any topic, anytime. Early research suggests AI can significantly enhance educational outcomes and career readiness: Harvard⁠(opens in a new window) researchers found that an AI-powered tutor, customized for a physics course, doubled student engagement and improved problem-solving, particularly for those with less prior knowledge. Meanwhile, a Microsoft study⁠(opens in a new window) found that individuals with AI skills are over 70% more likely to be hired, highlighting the growing demand for AI proficiency in the workforce.

“AI-powered universities” have also emerged worldwide, with institutions like Arizona State University, ESCP, Harvard University, London Business School, Oxford, and The Wharton School taking steps to make AI as fundamental to their campus as using the internet. CSU’s deployment takes this model a step further, ensuring that students across an entire school system—not just a single campus—have access to this transformative technology.

OpenAI’s mission to ensure that AGI benefits all of humanity includes using AI to democratize knowledge and empower people to solve hard problems worldwide. ChatGPT Edu, launched in May 2024, was built to support this transformation, providing universities with campus-wide access to OpenAI’s latest models, enterprise-level security, and cost-effective pricing. As AI continues to shape the future, ensuring students and educators worldwide can engage with AI will remain a critical priority. CSU’s system-wide adoption sets a precedent for how institutions can integrate AI at scale, offering a powerful model for the future.