OpenAI has announced its first-ever partnership with
Arizona State University (ASU). The collaboration, which has been in the works
for at least six months, grants ASU full access to ChatGPT Enterprise, marking
a milestone in the synergy between cutting-edge AI technology and academia.
Starting this February, ASU will leverage ChatGPT Enterprise
for a spectrum of applications, including coursework, tutoring, research, and
more. This move follows ASU Chief Information Officer Lev Gonick's visit to
OpenAI's headquarters, preceded by the university faculty and staff's earlier
use of ChatGPT and other AI tools.
ChatGPT Enterprise, OpenAI's business-tier offering, includes
access to GPT-4 with enhanced performance and API credits, offering ASU an
array of possibilities to explore AI's potential in education. Gonick noted that
the partnership aims to build a personalized AI tutor for students, not only
for specific courses but also for study topics. STEM subjects, critical for
higher education, will be a particular focus.
Additionally, ASU plans to deploy ChatGPT Enterprise in
developing AI avatars, acting as "creative buddies" for studying
subjects such as creating bots capable of singing or composing poetry about
biology. This innovative approach aims to enhance student engagement and make
learning more dynamic.
Notably, ASU's decision to utilize ChatGPT Enterprise comes
with a commitment to addressing concerns about student privacy and intellectual
property. Gonick expressed confidence in the tool providing a "private
walled-garden environment," assuring that student data inputted into
ChatGPT remains secure and is not utilized for training models.
Given the recent controversies surrounding AI chatbots and
concerns about cheating in educational settings, ASU's partnership with OpenAI
signals a positive step towards responsible and innovative integration of AI
technologies in academia.
OpenAI's Chief Operating Officer, Brad Lightcap, reiterated the
company's eagerness to learn from ASU's experience and expressed a keen
interest in expanding the use of ChatGPT across higher education institutions.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
