ChatGPT Frequently Asked Questions

Drexel has long embraced innovation, from early investments in campus-wide technology infrastructure to new approaches in teaching and research. In that spirit, ChatGPT Edu is being introduced to support learning, scholarship, and professional practice across disciplines. This enterprise platform provides enhanced functionality and institutional safeguards designed to enable thoughtful, responsible engagement with generative AI while maintaining Drexel’s academic values.

ChatGPT Edu includes enhanced privacy and security protections compared to consumer AI tools, including single sign-on through Drexel credentials and safeguards that prevent University data from being used to train public models.

At the same time, the platform is not approved for all types of data. Protected Health Information (PHI) may not be entered into ChatGPT Edu, and other high-risk or regulated data must be handled in accordance with the ChatGPT Edu Terms of Use.

Some advanced features are also limited or unavailable as Drexel evaluates governance, cost, and appropriate use.  The available features are addressed in Question 7, below. 

Training our students in the effective use of generative AI is essential because the workforce they are entering is already being reshaped by it. Those without a rigorous understanding of how to use AI run the risk of being left behind. Consider the following research:

• There is evidence of growing productivity gaps between skilled AI users and everyone else.¹  
• Prior research has shown that AI can help individuals overcome knowledge and skill gaps in some areas, provided they are properly trained.²³
• Without guidance, AI use can actually backfire and worsen academic performance.⁴

The university context poses a unique and important opportunity to expose students to AI rather than shield them from it. We should aim to help students learn with and about the appropriate use of AI without undermining their academic growth.

¹ OpenAI (2025). The State of Enterprise AI. ² Noy & Zhang (2023). Science, 381(6654). ³ Brynjolfsson, Li & Raymond (2025). The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 140(2). ⁴ Bastani et al. (2025). PNAS, 122(26).

Drexel supports multiple generative AI tools to provide flexibility across teaching, research, and administrative workflows. Both tools have strong institutional privacy protections and are designed to support learning, scholarship, and creative or analytical work.

• Microsoft Copilot is currently the approved tool for certain sensitive data and protected health information (PHI).
• ChatGPT Edu provides access to some advanced features and specialized interfaces, such as custom GPTs and deep research queries.

Users should select the tool that best aligns with the data involved and University guidance. In many cases, both tools are suitable.

Drexel-funded ChatGPT Edu licenses will be provided to faculty, professional staff, and students. Access is being rolled out in phases starting in February 2026, beginning with faculty, followed by staff, and then students.  

Using the Drexel-provided ChatGPT Edu account ensures that University-related work is protected under Drexel’s enterprise agreement. Conversations and data entered into ChatGPT Edu are not used to train public AI models and are governed by institutional privacy and security standards. Personal AI accounts do not provide these protections and may be subject to external data use, retention, or training practices. 

If you previously created a personal paid ChatGPT account using your Drexel email address, any existing subscriptions should be canceled and refunded during the migration process.

If your account was created with a non-Drexel email address, it will remain separate for personal use. Do not use this account with Drexel University data or for Drexel-related business activities.

ChatGPT Edu includes core platform features that apply across the system, tools and specialized modes or interfaces designed for particular tasks such as learning, research, writing, or collaboration. The following features are included with Drexel’s enterprise license:

Core Platform Features

Tools Menu (+) Options

Additional Sidebar Modes or Interfaces

Yes. While ChatGPT Edu offers enhanced capabilities compared to free consumer accounts, the following features have defined usage limits:

• Image generation: Up to three per day
• Deep Research Queries: Up to five per day

The following advanced features are NOT currently available:

• API Integration
• Agents
• GPT Thinking
• GPT Pro
• Additional queries for ImageGen (capped at 3/day) or Deep Research (capped at 5/day)
• Codex
• Record
• Voice

These features are under consideration as they may incur an additional cost to the University and/or end user.

Data you can enter: 

• Content related to teaching, learning, research, and University business. 
• Non‑sensitive information that you would share broadly within or outside the University. 
• Student directory information (e.g., names and Drexel email addresses) only when the student’s directory information is not marked confidential. 

Data you cannot enter: 

• Sensitive information Drexel must protect by law, contract, or policy. 
• Protected health information (PHI) — explicitly forbidden. 
• Financial data (e.g., credit card or bank account numbers).  
• Personally identifiable information beyond basic directory data (e.g., home address, DOB, SSN, student ID). 
• Confidential HR information (e.g., performance reviews). 
• Attorney‑client privileged material. 
• Confidential third‑party contracts or materials under confidentiality obligations.  
• Highly confidential institutional strategies or executive‑level deliberations.  
• Export‑controlled or restricted military‑related data. 

When in doubt: assume the information is sensitive and do not enter it. For more information, refer to the ChatGPT EDU Terms of Useor seek guidance through appropriate University channels. 

Drexel’s enterprise agreement ensures that prompts and conversations entered through the University’s ChatGPT Edu portal are retained by Drexel and are not used by OpenAI to train its models.

ChatGPT Edu does not change existing expectations regarding academic integrity or instructional decision-making. Faculty retain full discretion over whether and how AI tools may be used in their courses, consistent with pedagogical goals and disciplinary norms. University guidance on the use of AI and support from the Teaching and Learning Center will continue to emphasize when AI can enhance learning and productivity, and when traditional approaches remain essential.

The use of generative AI at Drexel is governed by existing University policies and guidance related to data security, privacy, academic integrity, research ethics, and acceptable use of technology. These include: 

Policies

• PO 05: Academic Integrity
• PO 103: Academic Integrity Pertaining To Artificial Intelligence

Additional Guidance 

• Drexel IT Generative Artificial Intelligence Guidance 
• The following draft policy is currently under review:  
• Faculty Usage of GAI Tools in Course Design and Teaching

• Instructions on how to login to Drexel ChatGPT Edu, additional resources to help you get the most out of this partnership, and a button to reach out to IT for ChatGPT support can be found on the ChatGPT Edu Service Page.
• The AI at Drexel website offers guidance on responsible use of AI, a list of relevant policies, and available trainings.
• The Teaching and Learning Center offers guidance on generative artificial intelligence and teaching for faculty, a three-step guide for students, and consultations on assignment design, course policies, and AI-enabled teaching strategies.

For questions related to academic policy or instructional use of AI, please contact the Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence at SCAI@drexel.edu. For technical access or support questions, faculty and staff should refer to the ChatGPT Edu Service Page for knowledge base articles and a button to reach out to IT for ChatGPT support.