ChatGPT Edu: Why the Version You Use Matters

Working on a paper or analyzing a dataset? Have you got ChatGPT open on your browser, or ChatGPT Edu? One trains on your data. The other keeps your conversations, research, and coursework private under Duke’s institutional agreements. 

According to Duke’s Acceptable Use Policy, your content is subject to Duke’s institutional privacy, security, and legal safeguards, rather than the data-use practices of public platforms. 

ChatGPT Edu, OpenAI’s educational version of ChatGPT, offers AI capabilities with enhanced privacy protections and a model built specifically for education. Unlike the public version, it operates under agreements that prevent your data from being used to train AI models. Here’s why that matters. 

Myth #1: “It doesn’t matter which version of ChatGPT I use.”

How you access ChatGPT makes all the difference. When you log in through your NetID, you’re covered under Duke’s legal and privacy agreements. Your conversations, research data, and coursework stay private and won’t be used to train AI models. When you use the free public version, you’re not protected, and we can’t guarantee your data privacy. 

Myth #2: “My data isn’t private - faculty at Duke can see it.”

This is not true. Duke takes privacy seriously and follows strict policies regarding access to student data. Faculty members do not have access to individual student data or ChatGPT Edu conversations. Accessing student data requires high-level approval, without which, could result in termination. 

 Myth #3: “Duke is constantly monitoring my online activity!”

Duke does monitor for cybersecurity threats, but not personal browsing behavior. This monitoring exists to protect students and faculty from phishing, data theft, and any form of malicious activity. The goal is not to watch what you’re doing, but to ensure that your information isn’t being compromised by bad actors.

The Bottom Line

Being secure means logging in into ChatGPT Edu with your NetID every time. It’s accessible to all undergraduates, easy to use, and ensures that your academic work stays protected under Duke’s institutional agreements. 

Learn more about how students can use ChatGPT Edu.

By Hasan Belgaumi, '29
OIT Marketing and Communications Intern