Duke Launches Secure AI Services with OpenAI

Published Date : 29/05/2025 

Duke University, in partnership with OpenAI, is expanding its suite of secure, Duke-managed AI services, including free access to ChatGPT-4o for students, faculty, and staff across key academic units. 

Duke University, in collaboration with OpenAI, an artificial intelligence (AI) company, is launching a pilot program that provides free, secure access to ChatGPT-4o for students, faculty, and staff across key academic units. This initiative, led by the Office of Information Technology (OIT), aims to deliver a suite of Duke-managed AI tools to support teaching, learning, research, and operational excellence.

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming higher education by enhancing creativity, improving efficiency, and accelerating discovery. Duke Provost Alec D. Gallimore emphasized the importance of these tools: “By making these tools widely available under a secure, Duke-managed license, the university aims to ensure equitable access while upholding institutional data privacy standards.”

Starting June 2, Duke undergraduates will have free, unlimited access to GPT-4o through a new pilot with OpenAI. Staff, faculty, and professional students in the Nicholas School of the Environment, the Sanford School of Public Policy, Pratt School of Engineering, Fuqua School of Business, and Learning Innovation and Lifetime Education (LILE) will also receive free access. Other members of the university community may purchase the license at a significantly discounted rate.

This version of ChatGPT operates under Duke’s institutional agreement with OpenAI, ensuring that user conversations and data are never used to train OpenAI models. While it does not directly connect with Duke tools or systems, it is appropriate for use with sensitive data, excluding protected health information.

In early June, DukeGPT will be available, offering an intuitive generative AI interface and a secure, university-managed platform to explore and compare advanced AI models. Built specifically for the university community, DukeGPT is designed to provide Duke models and tools, integrated with Duke data and best practices (excluding protected health information). It combines on-prem open-source options with cloud-based foundation models to ensure maximum privacy and robust data protection, offering tailored resources and tools for learning, research, and productivity.

MyGPT Builder, set to launch soon, will allow users to create and manage their own customized AI environments. This tool is perfect for students, faculty, and researchers needing full administrative control to build tailored resources, experiment with models, knowledge bases, and datasets in a secure sandboxed environment designed for their needs.

The AI Gateway for Developers, also coming soon, will offer API access to AI models through LiteLLM, enabling developers and advanced users to integrate AI into their own applications. The AI Gateway will provide members of the Duke community with LiteLLM API keys using a cost-recovery model. They will be empowered to build and deploy unique AI-driven tools, chatbots, and services, leveraging both on-prem and cloud-based models according to their needs.

Using AI effectively requires thoughtful practice. As technology and best practices continue to evolve, having reliable guidance is essential. This summer, OIT and LILE will offer virtual trainings to help increase familiarity and use of these tools. The sessions will be recorded for later viewing.

Duke also provides online resources to support responsible use:

- Undergraduate students should follow the Duke Community Standard for academic endeavors and faculty guidance for using AI in coursework. Student leaders have published helpful recommendations for using tools like ChatGPT-4o ethically and effectively.

- Faculty can access teaching resources and assignment guidelines provided by LILE.

- Staff can find guidance on Duke’s AI website.

To learn more about Duke’s full suite of AI tools and upcoming trainings, visit: oit.duke.edu/AI-Suite 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the purpose of Duke's partnership with OpenAI?

A: The partnership aims to provide free, secure access to ChatGPT-4o for students, faculty, and staff, enhancing teaching, learning, research, and operational excellence while ensuring data privacy.

Q: Who will have access to ChatGPT-4o through the pilot program?

A: Duke undergraduates, staff, faculty, and professional students in key academic units will have free access. Other members can purchase the license at a discounted rate.

Q: What is DukeGPT and when will it be available?

A: DukeGPT is a secure, university-managed platform for exploring and comparing advanced AI models. It will be available in early June.

Q: What is MyGPT Builder and what can it be used for?

A: MyGPT Builder is a tool that allows users to create and manage customized AI environments. It is ideal for students, faculty, and researchers needing full administrative control.

Q: What resources does Duke provide for responsible AI use?

A: Duke offers virtual trainings, online resources, and guidelines for undergraduate students, faculty, and staff to ensure ethical and effective use of AI tools. 

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