Leading the Future: Providing Secure, University-wide Access to AI Tools

Dear Members of the Drexel Community,

Drexel has long been a leader in technological innovation, becoming the first university to require personal computers for all incoming students and the first major university to launch a fully wireless campus. Today, Drexel continues this legacy through cutting-edge research in areas such as artificial intelligence and advanced materials, as well as by offering state-of-the-art technology support and online learning resources.

As part of our commitment to support our community with the latest technology, I am thrilled to announce that we have signed an enterprise license with OpenAI to provide secure access to ChatGPT Edu for all members of the Drexel community.

This investment comes at a transformative moment for our institution. As we redesign our curriculum, we are reimagining academic programs to prepare students for a future that is rapidly evolving. Generative AI will not only enhance how we teach and learn, but it will also empower us to create dynamic, forward-thinking experiences that anticipate the needs of tomorrow.

Over the last decade, Drexel’s researchers have been at the forefront of developing and applying AI and machine-learning technology, as well as studying its effect on society. Their work has shown how this technology can help us ward off misinformation, identify at-risk infrastructure, detect Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages, and more.

Drexel was also one of the first institutions in the nation to form a university-wide committee to develop policies and guidance around the use of AI and how to integrate it into learning experiences.

To advance these efforts and more closely connect our community with this world-changing technology, the Standing Committee on AI (SCAI) provided recommendations and it was agreed we would explore licensing agreements with trusted providers. The agreement that we reached with OpenAI will provide our community with secure and responsible access to this technology, enhancing research, teaching and learning while protecting work and creative property. This opportunity represents the next step in Drexel’s longstanding technological leadership, and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this effort.

In an era where artificial intelligence will redefine industries and careers, hands-on learning will become more critical than ever. We are committed to ensuring that every student graduates with AI literacy and the ability to apply these skills responsibly to the future of work. We are preparing our students not just for today’s careers, but for a future where human ingenuity, amplified by AI technology, will take on some of the world’s biggest challenges.

We anticipate that our community will gain access to ChatGPT Edu in January. Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks.

This is more than an investment in technology; it is an investment in people, ideas and the promise of a future where our graduates lead with creativity, adaptability and purpose.

Together, we are shaping the next chapter of higher education. Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey.

Sincerely,
Antonio Merlo, PhD
President