As students at Brunel, we know that AI tools like ChatGPT are no longer just helpful—they are essential to our academic work. We use them to brainstorm ideas when we're stuck, refine our essay structures, untangle complex problems, and manage our packed schedules. This isn't about shortcuts; it's about working smarter and keeping up with the demands of our degrees.
Right now, we are at a significant disadvantage. Top-tier universities are already providing free, university-wide access to these tools for all their students.
In the UK, the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics (LSE) are providing ChatGPT EDU for free to all their students.
In the US, Columbia, Harvard, Wharton (UPenn), the University of Texas at Austin, Arizona State, the University of Michigan, and the entire 23-campus California State University system provide these tools.
These elite institutions know this is a basic academic resource, not a luxury. By not providing it, Brunel is failing to give us the same tools as our peers, directly impacting our ability to compete and succeed.
Top-tier universities are providing free access to essential AI tools like ChatGPT EDU for their students, and Brunel is falling behind. To improve Brunel's global ranking and restore its competitive edge, the university must invest in the resources we actually use.
We, the students, demand a ChatGPT EDU version be made available for everyone at Brunel. This is a necessary step to secure our academic success and the future reputation of our university.