OpenAI launches ChatGPT for academic researchers

OpenAI has announced the launch of ChatGPT for academic researchers, a new programme that will give 100,000 scientists, mathematicians and engineers free access to OpenAI’s most advanced artificial intelligence.

OpenAI already has evidence of how AI is helping to advance scientific research. Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital are using OpenAI’s reasoning models to aid in the diagnosis of genetic diseases affecting children. Computational astrophysicists are using Codex to develop new approaches to simulating plasma around black holes, achieving calculations that are up to 1,000 times faster. Mathematicians are also using OpenAI’s models to explore new approaches to long-standing unsolved problems and contribute to the development of new proofs.

The programme is designed to help researchers tackle complex problems, accelerate discoveries and improve productivity, from data analysis and hypothesis testing to reviewing the scientific literature and preparing funding applications.

In this initial phase, OpenAI will launch this summer with 10,000 accounts, with the aim of reaching 100,000 researchers by 2027. Participants will have access to OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 family of models, including GPT-5.6 Sol Pro, as well as dedicated training courses and practical support. By default, researchers’ data will not be used to train OpenAI’s models.

The programme forms part of a wider-ranging project that will see over 250 million dollars invested by 2027 to support scientific research across the board.