OpenAI has introduced a promotional offer granting two months of free access to ChatGPT Plus for college students, as announced by CEO Sam Altman in advance of a significant update to the AI chatbot. This offer is available exclusively to students in the United States and Canada through May and can be accessed via the ChatGPT student landing page. Verification of current enrollment for both existing ChatGPT Plus subscribers and new students will be conducted through a system known as SheerID. If the subscription is not canceled before the two-month period concludes, it will automatically renew at the monthly rate of $20 for ChatGPT Plus.
The paid version of ChatGPT provides users with extended limits on chatting, file uploads, and image generation, along with an advanced voice mode featuring video and screen sharing capabilities, limited access to Sora, and the inclusion of new GPT-4o and o3-mini models.
The utilization of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools by students has sparked extensive discussion, as major tech companies and AI developers continue to invest in AI technologies for educational use. Google, for instance, has introduced a teen-specific version of its chatbot, Gemini, which is offered free of charge to educational institutions. This chatbot is accessible to all students possessing Google Workspace for Education accounts, subject to administrator approval.
In addition, OpenAI has announced free access to its new native image generator for both paid and free versions of ChatGPT and Sora. This announcement precedes the implementation of a proposed rate limit, which restricts users to three image generations per day. The company, led by Altman, is generating enthusiasm for the updated GPT-4o, as well as for upcoming mini models and GPT-5, amidst ongoing debates surrounding AI-generated art and rising concerns about the broader implications of generative AI.
