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September 15, 2026 \u2014 7:30pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Sydney\u2019s two most prestigious universities have within days of each other signed agreements with Open AI to roll out ChatGPT Edu, laying the groundwork for further campus tensions and prompting questions about the value of degrees as a broader grassroots backlash to AI technology grows.<\/p>\n Last week, the University of NSW announced it had signed a \u201cstrategic partnership\u201d to bring the purpose-built AI system to its campus after a trial involving 500 students in 2024.<\/p>\n \u201cThe collaboration, one of the largest AI education deployments in the Asia-Pacific region, aims to help ensure graduates are equipped to use AI critically, ethically and effectively,\u201d UNSW said in a statement last week.<\/p>\n In response to questions from this masthead, UNSW said that ChatGPT was an \u201coptional resource\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe strategic partnership \u2026 supports training and the responsible exploration of AI in teaching, research and professional services.\u201d<\/p>\n Five days later, its traditional rival \u2013 the University of Sydney \u2013 made an announcement of its own.<\/p>\n \u201cThis university-wide investment ensures every student and staff member has free and equitable access to advanced AI tools,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow\u2019s leaders will also need to understand AI\u2019s ethical, social and environmental impacts, and possess the ability to work with this technology critically and responsibly. We will support you for that future by providing equitable access to advanced AI tools.\u201d<\/p>\n The University of Sydney\u2019s vice president of operations, Nicole Gower, said that it would retain its \u201chuman-centred approach to AI\u201d and it was also rolling out an AI research fund to address the technology\u2019s environmental cost.<\/p>\n Related Article ChatGPT Edu is a specialised version of the artificial intelligence platform that facilitates AI usage across students, faculty, researchers, and campus operations, according to parent company OpenAI\u2019s website. Prestigious universities across the globe including Oxford in the UK and Columbia University in the United States also use ChatGPT Edu.<\/p>\n A fortnight ago, union members at the University of Sydney went on strike<\/a>, in part due to concerns about the university\u2019s \u201cextraordinarily cavalier\u201d approach to AI.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the very same time NTEU members were on strike for enforceable consultation and protections around AI, it\u2019s now clear [Sydney] management were off signing a multi-year deal with OpenAI,\u201d said the National Tertiary Education Union\u2019s Dr Vince Caughley.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve made our case for us: why staff need enforceable rights, why they need to organise and why we need comprehensive reform of university governance.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Article The reception to the ChatGPT Edu rollout has not been positive. Comments on a social media post about Sydney\u2019s announcement included, \u201cDespicable garbage\u201d and \u201cI love it when my uni engages in fascism-maxxing\u201d. Another said: \u201cNow I\u2019m questioning my choices to study there.\u201d<\/p>\n A protest is planned for the university on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The dual announcements came off the back of last week\u2019s warning that AI could wipe out humanity. <\/a><\/p>\n Yet despite initial hesitation<\/a>, Australia\u2019s universities have accelerated their adaption of AI across research, administration, teaching and learning. Last month, this masthead revealed that it is being used in lectures<\/a>, as a virtual assistant for conversational skills and as a \u201cstudy buddy\u201d.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/802284ded03d6d8100355d4147e5403a0f143764b058e2cb6b4716e1e89c0ef6.jpeg\")
The universities signed multi-year deals with OpenAI within days of each other. Aresna Villanueva<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f44d5dd132a426490cbbe8890436b3b0f58a59f1.jpeg\")
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