University of Maine System to launch shared AI tool to accelerate student, institutional success

Maine's public universities will provide the ChatGPT Edu tool and training to all faculty, staff and matriculated students starting July 1 as part of a commitment to prepare students for the workforce and improve operational efficiency and impact for the benefit of students, families and Maine taxpayers

ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine System (UMS) is leading the nation in preparing students for the modern workforce and improving organizational effectiveness with the investment and responsible integration of a shared AI tool.

Maine's largest educational and research enterprise and one of the state's biggest employers has awarded its first System-wide enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) platform contract to ChatGPT Edu from OpenAI.

Under the two-year agreement that will begin July 1, every UMS faculty member, staff member and matriculated student will have access to ChatGPT Edu, which was developed specifically for use in higher education settings, though whether and how they use it will be entirely up to them.

"Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how people work, learn, innovate and solve problems and how institutions operate across every sector," said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. "While we recognize there are differing perspectives and important questions surrounding the integration of AI, Maine's public universities have a responsibility to prepare students for a workforce where employers expect them to have the knowledge and skills to use these increasingly common tools. This strategic investment will help strengthen teaching and research, modernize our operations and improve efficiency in ways that ultimately benefit both Maine taxpayers and the affordability and quality of the University of Maine System for students and families."

In September, a UMS AI working group recommended (External Site) that an AI solution be made available System-wide to ensure equitable access to tools and training. A competitive request for proposals generated four fully qualified responses, with ChatGPT Edu scoring higher than the Google-based alternative solutions based on evaluation of functionality, data protection, total cost, education features and fit with the System's existing IT infrastructure.

"AI tools like ChatGPT Edu have quickly become essential infrastructure for teaching and learning, research and operations. We think there is value in these tools and we want students and employees to have equal access and support to explore them safely," said UMS Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic AI Integration Ryan Low. "Our System is building the AI grid and each UMS university will decide how best to use that power to advance teaching and learning, discovery, student success and service to the people of Maine and beyond."

Unlike free versions of ChatGPT, the platform adopted by the System will provide employees and students of Maine's public universities access to OpenAI's most capable models, the ability to build custom GPTs to meet specific education and operational needs and most importantly, data privacy protections with prompts and files never being used to train OpenAI's models.

The System will also offer free professional development for its more than 5,000 faculty and staff in the coming year, building on its popular AI programming, which is delivered through its Maine Center and has trained hundreds of employees in the state - including those working for UMS - since launching in 2025. Education and training in responsible AI use will also be available for students.

The System is funding the first year of the $1.4 million, two-year contract with unbudgeted investment income. Some savings will be realized from discontinuing a patchwork of individual subscriptions and licenses across UMS, though employees will continue to have access to the technology and tools most appropriate for their functions, consistent with available resources and existing policies.

Earlier this year, Arizona State University announced (External Site) it would charge a new advanced technology fee to its students to cover related costs, including for AI tools.

Vice Chancellor Low said the UMS Board of Trustees will revisit funding for the second year of the new contract as part of the Fiscal Year 2028 budget development process. Any new student fee or charge to universities would be subject to a transparent, public review process that proactively engages faculty, staff and students.

UMS has established itself as a national AI leader. Last fall, The Chronicle of Higher Education spotlighted the System and Vice Chancellor Low (External Site) for using AI to enhance and make more efficient Maine's public universities' operations, market analysis, budgeting and decision-making. Additionally, the flagship recently launched UMaine AI (External Site) to leverage the university's strengths across disciplines, including computing and information sciences, engineering, health and life sciences, business, education and social sciences to undertake AI-related research, education and application in partnership with industry, government and communities.

More information about AI at the University of Maine System is available at ai.maine.edu (External Site).

About the University of Maine System

The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state's largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit https://www.maine.edu.

Media Contact:

Samantha WarrenChief External & Governmental Affairs Officer207-632-0389 / [email protected]