The following questions are intended to guide USC students, staff and faculty in understanding what AI tools are institutionally supported at USC. These FAQs are not intended to be prescriptive to faculty on how they should teach, assess or design coursework. The use of USC-supported AI tools is optional.
What AI tools can faculty and staff use at USC?
Use the following resource to explore the AI tools that are institutionally supported by USC and approved at USC. Even AI tools that are university supported must comply with USC’s Data Privacy and Protection Policy and USC’s Acceptable Use Policy. It is important to be mindful of the data input into any AI tool.
How can faculty learn about this technology?
The USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) provides faculty institutes, workshops, consultations, and guidance focused on instructional practices, helping faculty make informed decisions about how these tools may support teaching and student learning.
How can students use AI?
The ethical and successful use of approved AI tools begins with understanding your instructor’s expectations. Whether and how AI can be used can vary by discipline, instructor, course, and even individual assignments. Instructors may prohibit the use of generative AI tools in their courses if they determine that such use is inconsistent with their learning objectives. When use is permitted, maintain transparency: keep records of how you used the tool, be prepared to explain its role in your work, and always cite its use.
Most importantly, if you’re unsure if using AI is acceptable, ask for clarification before using it. Clarifying expectations protects your academic integrity and builds good habits for ethical AI use throughout your career.
Where can I share and navigate through my concerns about academic integrity?
Concerns about academic integrity can be discussed with the Office of Academic Integrity. Faculty are encouraged to include guidance on student AI use on their syllabi or for individual assignments. Refer to page 4 of the USC Syllabus Template for examples and consult your program or school for recommendations.
Can USC detect AI-generated work?
No tool can reliably determine whether a specific piece of work was generated by AI. Faculty should design assessments with this limitation in mind.
What are USC’s guidelines for using AI responsibly?
Use of any technology tool must adhere to USC’s Data Privacy and Protection Policy and USC’s Acceptable Use Policy. These policies outline how to use university technology safely, ethically, and in accordance with our policies. They encourage students, faculty, and staff to protect privacy and follow data classification standards while supporting learning, research, and operations. All AI users must avoid activities that disrupt university systems, expose confidential information, or violate copyright, intellectual property, or academic integrity.
When using and evaluating AI tools, be mindful of the institutional data you are sharing. Never share Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Personal Health Information (PHI), protected student records, or other sensitive data with any AI tool without additional consultation.
Consider the following when using AI tools:
- Never share Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Personal Health Information (PHI), protected student records, or other sensitive data with any AI tool without additional consultation.
- Never use real names, IDs, or confidential info in prompts.
- Practice with generic or fictional data.
- Double-check your AI tool’s privacy settings to ensure compliance.
- Always review AI-generated output for factual accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness.
What are the potential compliance obligations and legal considerations associated with using AI tools?
Use of USC’s approved AI tools are subject to USC’s Data Privacy and Protection Policy and USC’s Acceptable Use Policy. Users should have no expectation of privacy when using USC provided AI tools. Users must not enter confidential, confidential-controlled, internal use only, or privileged information unless they have been specifically informed that a specific data classification has been approved for use. Users remain responsible for complying with all data privacy, security, and retention obligations and must review outputs for accuracy and compliance before use.a specific data classification has been approved for use . Users remain responsible for complying with all data privacy, security, and retention obligations and must review outputs for accuracy and compliance before use.
ChatGPT Edu Questions
ChatGPT Edu is an artificial intelligence tool designed for education from OpenAI, coming to USC in Spring 2026. ChatGPT Edu assists users in answering queries, creating content, and conducting research and analysis.
Why is USC adopting ChatGPT Edu?
Many at USC are already exploring how to incorporate ChatGPT into their teaching, learning and service. USC is centralizing these licenses to leverage the security of an enterprise workspace. USC’s ChatGPT Edu workspace will provide a secure platform for staff, students and faculty to explore generative AI without training OpenAI’s models.
When will ChatGPT Edu be available?
USC ChatGPT Edu will be available to most at USC the first week of Spring semester 2026.
Will I be able to migrate my existing ChatGPT account to USC’s enterprise license?
Detailed instructions on how to merge existing accounts – including conversation history – is currently being developed and will be provided as soon as possible. Please continue to check your email for more information and revisit this page for updated instructions.
Who will be able to access ChatGPT Edu?
USC will provide access to students, staff and faculty at USC and Keck Hospitals of USC.
What features are included in ChatGPT Edu?
Features include unlimited access to OpenAI’s latest core features (GPT‑5.x Chat with reasoning) along with credit-based access to advanced capabilities like image generation, voice interaction, and deep research tools.
If I use ChatGPT Edu, can USC see my ChatGPT history?
No. ChatGPT Edu is not a monitoring tool. USC does not have access to any user’s private chat history, though USC’s Acceptable Use policy still applies.
Training on ChatGPT Edu
How can faculty learn about ChatGPT Edu?
All faculty will have full access to Academy, OpenAI’s official learning platform, and its resources to support teaching, research, and professional development. The USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) provides faculty institutes, consultations, and guidance focused on instructional practices, helping faculty make informed decisions about how these tools may support teaching and student learning. Faculty who are considering incorporating ChatGPT Edu into their teaching should consult with OSAS to identify ways to identify appropriate accommodation or alternative approaches to course experiences.
How can I explore the usage of advanced models?
Advanced solutions in ChatGPT Edu will be addressed in the Spring semester. To explore advanced solutions consulting with ChatGPT, please contact ITS to discuss available options, integration strategies, and design requirements tailored to your needs.
Where can I go for answers to additional questions or to get support?
- For Teaching design, contact the Center for Excellence in Teaching.
- For academic integrity policy and guidance, contact Office of Academic Integrity.
- For access and technical issues, contact ITS.
- You should also contact your local division, school, or unit’s IT team to see if they offer custom documentation, workshops, or support
ITS Support
- The ITS Service Desk provides support to the USC community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Call (213) 740-5555 and choose option 2 to receive assistance. Please note that some requests may require a government ID for user verification.
- Report an Issue on the ITS Service Portal.
- Search for information on the ITS Service Portal.