Australian university students used artificial intelligence several times a week at a rate of 81% in an August survey, according to research commissioned by OpenAI and published Nov. 5.
The findings show student use already extends to building personal assistants, OpenAI said in “Australian universities are creating AI-native graduates.” The AI developer supplies tools to the universities it described. It said that access needs to come with practical experience and judgment.
Pureprofile surveyed 1,018 university students aged 18 and over across Australia from Aug. 3 to Aug. 7, 2026, on OpenAI’s behalf. The survey included students studying on campus and remotely. Its findings capture students’ reported habits and expectations, rather than measured effects on learning or employment.
Some 33% of respondents used AI multiple times a day, while 28% had built an AI agent or assistant to manage studies, work or personal life, the research found. Such tools carry out tasks for users. Another 79% wanted more university opportunities to use advanced AI on projects addressing practical problems.
The same proportion expressed interest in applying AI to health, climate, science or cyber security, the research found. Some 61% believed AI skills would be essential to success in their chosen careers, and 65% believed those skills would give Australian graduates an advantage internationally.
Entrepreneurship also featured in students’ plans, the research found. Some 76% expressed interest in starting a company or working for themselves, while 68% believed AI would make starting a business easier.
OpenAI said universities were responding through wider access to its tools, training and changes to assessment. UNSW Sydney is bringing ChatGPT Edu to more than 80,000 students and staff in stages. Its collaboration also includes plans for industry projects, internships and links to startup networks.
The University of Sydney plans access for all students in Semester 1, 2027, following a trial, OpenAI said. At La Trobe University, all 3,500 staff already have access. The university plans access for its entire community of 45,000 students and staff in the first quarter of 2027.
Practical teaching applications include simulated clinical exercises and rehearsals for difficult conversations, OpenAI said. At La Trobe, paramedicine students use AI-created activities to assess possible heart attacks and decide which patients need treatment first. Trainee teachers practice responding to parents through a social robot using OpenAI models.
La Trobe’s AI Business Studio aims to give more than 1,000 students experience helping small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI by 2028, OpenAI said. Students would work as consultants and engineers using ChatGPT Edu and Codex.
Universities are also setting limits on AI use, OpenAI said. UNSW lets educators permit, prohibit or require AI depending on the assessment.
Sydney combines supervised assessments of students’ own capabilities with open assessments using AI. OpenAI argued that subject knowledge and judgment, alongside access, would prepare students to use the technology at work.
