La Trobe University has announced a landmark collaboration with OpenAI that will bring ChatGPT Edu and advanced AI tools to tens of thousands of students and staff over the next two years.
Under the agreement, La Trobe will roll out 5,000 ChatGPT Edu licences in 2026, before expanding to 40,000 licences by 2027, giving every student and staff member access to advanced AI capability regardless of their background, discipline or location. The commitment positions La Trobe as one of Australia’s most forward-leaning institutions on digital transformation and equitable AI access.
The partnership will fully embed AI across the curriculum, including the creation of Australia’s first AI-embedded MBA program, along with the integration of Codex and AgentKit, OpenAI’s coding and automation tools, into engineering and business courses. Pilot programs will begin in 2026, with full curriculum integration across all disciplines in 2027.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the partnership strongly aligns with the Albanese Government’s National AI Plan and demonstrates La Trobe’s commitment to expanding AI skills, improving access, and bridging the regional–metropolitan digital divide.
“Our strategic collaboration with OpenAI positions the University at the forefront of AI-enabled education and research, empowering students, staff, and communities to innovate and thrive in an AI-driven future. AI is reshaping our society and economy at a breathtaking pace, and La Trobe is committed to ensuring that all of our students have the skills to adapt and lead in this rapidly changing world,” Professor Farrell said.
He added that the collaboration would accelerate La Trobe’s “AI-first strategy,” transforming learning experiences and strengthening innovation across every part of university life. “I’m especially excited about working with OpenAI to embed AI into a range of courses, including our new AI-embedded MBA program, that will ensure our graduates emerge with deep technical knowledge, strategic insight, and the ability to harness AI for innovation, productivity, and sustainable growth in any sector.”
OpenAI’s Head of International, Oliver Jay, said La Trobe was demonstrating what true AI-enabled education can look like on a global scale. “Education is one of the areas where AI has the greatest potential to drive long-term economic and social impact, and we’re thrilled to be working alongside La Trobe University to unlock that opportunity at scale.”
The partnership is also expected to intensify La Trobe’s research capability, building on existing AI infrastructure, including the NVIDIA DGX H200 supercomputer, the first commissioned at an Australian university, and the Cisco–La Trobe Centre for AI and the Internet of Things. La Trobe’s Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI), launched in 2024, is already leading global efforts to use AI to develop cancer vaccines, immunotherapies and advanced med-tech.
La Trobe has committed to sharing best practice with other universities and institutions, helping promote ethical, safe and innovative AI adoption across Australia. The partnership sits alongside La Trobe’s Responsible AI Adoption Strategy, launched in 2024, which guides the university’s AI use across teaching, research and operations.
