UNSW Sydney has inked Australia’s biggest education deal with OpenAI, acquiring 10,000 licences for ChatGPT Edu to equip its academic and professional staff with secure, advanced AI tools.
The agreement enables researchers and educators at UNSW to use ChatGPT safely while protecting their intellectual property, marking a significant step in integrating generative AI (GenAI) into university research, teaching and operations.
The rollout follows a successful 10-month pilot involving 800 staff, where ChatGPT was used innovatively for tasks such as creating role-plays, developing case studies and enhancing student engagement.
UNSW is committed to responsible AI deployment, including carbon offset purchases to mitigate environmental impacts.
“As we introduce these technologies, our focus is on helping staff explore how AI can add value in teaching, research and operations, while maintaining the highest standards of ethics, privacy and academic integrity,” said Professor Attila Brungs, Vice-Chancellor of UNSW.
“For educators, AI is a powerful ally, freeing up more time for the truly human work of teaching. For researchers and university staff, it’s becoming part of the infrastructure of higher education, much like the internet. We’re excited to see UNSW leaning in with a thoughtful rollout that ensures their campus is ready to harness these benefits,” said Ravhav Gupta Head of Education in APAC at OpenAI.
OpenAI partnerships across APAC
Across Asia Pacific, OpenAI has initiated partnerships with multiple universities and educational institutions.
In India, it is collaborating with IIT Madras and government ministries to provide AI literacy training and distribute ChatGPT licenses nationwide, fostering personalised learning and skill development.
The company has plans for significant regional expansion with a Singapore office focused on strengthening relationships across governments and academia, including partnerships with AI Singapore and local tech companies.
In parallel, Australian universities such as the University of Melbourne and University of Sydney are developing their own AI tools and platforms, while OpenAI is also partnering with universities in South Korea and Indonesia to integrate AI into education and research.
Adopting enterprise-grade AI platforms tailored for academic environments equips institutions with cutting-edge tools that enhance productivity, foster innovation and safeguard academic integrity. This approach to responsible AI integration sets a benchmark for universities to balance technological advancement with ethical considerations, privacy, and data security.
Entelechy Asia 