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The Sydney Morning Herald
· collected 2026-09-15 · by Sally Rawsthorne
The University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney have recently signed agreements with OpenAI to implement ChatGPT Edu, an AI tool designed for educational use. UNSW calls this one of the largest AI education deployments in the Asia-Pacific region, aimed at preparing graduates to work critically and responsibly with AI technology. Similarly, the University of Sydney plans a university-wide investment to provide free access to advanced AI tools for all students and staff, emphasizing ethical, social, and environmental impacts. However, these moves have sparked backlash among students and union members who view them as rushed and lacking proper consultation, leading to protests and negative reactions on social media.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Sydney's two most prestigious universities, UNSW and the University of Sydney, have recently signed agreements with OpenAI to roll out ChatGPT Edu on their campuses. The move comes after a trial involving 500 students at UNSW in 2024, making it one of the largest AI education deployments in the Asia-Pacific region. Both universities emphasize that ChatGPT is an optional resource aimed at equipping graduates to use AI critically and ethically. However, this development has sparked concerns about the value of degrees amid growing grassroots backlash against AI technology.
Written for “ChatGpt In Education Concerns” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 9994 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-15
Sydney’s 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.
asserted
backlash → sign → technology
Last week, the University of NSW announced it had signed a “strategic partnership” to bring the purpose-built AI system to its campus after a trial involving 500 students in 2024.
asserted
it → announce → 2024
“The 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,” UNSW said in a statement last week.
asserted
UNSW → aim → statement
In response to questions from this masthead, UNSW said that ChatGPT was an “optional resource”.
asserted
ChatGPT → say → masthead
“The strategic partnership … supports training and the responsible exploration of AI in teaching, research and professional services.”
asserted
partnership → support → teaching
Five days later, its traditional rival – the University of Sydney – made an announcement of its own.
asserted
rival → make → own
“This university-wide investment ensures every student and staff member has free and equitable access to advanced AI tools,” it said.
“
asserted
it → ensure → tools
Tomorrow’s leaders will also need to understand AI’s ethical, social and environmental impacts, and possess the ability to work with this technology critically and responsibly.
asserted
leaders → need → technology
We will support you for that future by providing equitable access to advanced AI tools.”
asserted
We → support → tools
The University of Sydney’s vice president of operations, Nicole Gower, said that it would retain its “human-centred approach to AI” and it was also rolling out an AI research fund to address the technology’s environmental cost.
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’s website.
uncertain
that → say → website
Prestigious universities across the globe including Oxford in the UK and Columbia University in the United States also use ChatGPT Edu.
asserted
universities → include → Edu
A fortnight ago, union members at the University of Sydney went on strike, in part due to concerns about the university’s “extraordinarily cavalier” approach to AI.
asserted
members → go → AI
“At the very same time NTEU members were on strike for enforceable consultation and protections around AI, it’s now clear [Sydney] management were off signing a multi-year deal with OpenAI,” said the National Tertiary Education Union’s Dr Vince Caughley.
asserted
Caughley → ’ → OpenAI
“They’ve made our case for us: why staff need enforceable rights, why they need to organise and why we need comprehensive reform of university governance.”
asserted
we → make → governance
Comments on a social media post about Sydney’s announcement included, “Despicable garbage” and “I love it when my uni engages in fascism-maxxing”.
asserted
uni → include → maxxing
Another said: “Now I’m questioning my choices to study there.”
A protest is planned for the university on Wednesday.
The dual announcements came off the back of last week’s warning that AI could wipe out humanity.
Yet despite initial hesitation, Australia’s universities have accelerated their adaption of AI across research, administration, teaching and learning.
uncertain
universities → say → research
month, this masthead revealed that it is being used in lectures, as a virtual assistant for conversational skills and as a “study buddy”.
asserted
it → reveal → buddy
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