Chico State students rallied against artificial intelligence in education on Wednesday, holding signs reading, “AI eats your tuition” and “OpenAI is a scam” during a campus protest.
The protesters called for an end to a $13 million-a-year contract the California State University system renewed with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, that gave Cal State campuses continued access to ChatGPT Edu, an AI chatbot made for the classroom.
“We don't need to be spending $6.5 million a semester on OpenAI contracts that most students don't use,” said James Carlson, one of about 12 students who joined the demonstration. “And if you were going to, consult the students and consult the teachers to see how they felt.”
Students for Quality Education, an advocacy group tied to the California Faculty Association, promoted the protest as part of a week of anti-AI activities and statewide demonstrations including other campuses.
The demonstration also came a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wanted to give Californians a “seat at the table” when it comes to crafting AI policies and regulations.
Newsom’s office said AI development lacks transparency and accountability, and a newly released state report shows public support for more oversight.
Protesters at Chico State also raised concerns about the Israeli military’s reported use of OpenAI technology in its latest war with Hamas and increased use of AI in the classroom.
“Being able to problem solve should be a human thing, you know,” student Giovanni Razo said. “It shouldn't be left up to going to a computer and asking them, ‘Hey, how do I do this? How do I basically function as a human being?’”
A Cal State report released in April found that about 25% of faculty encouraged or required AI. The rest discouraged or prohibited its use, remained neutral or had not addressed it with students.
The university, including Chico State, lets faculty decide how students can use AI, including banning it.
Amy Bentley-Smith, a spokesperson for the CSU Chancellor’s Office, told NSPR it’s preparing students as AI changes how people learn and work.
“The goal is not to mandate the use of AI,” Bentley-Smith said, “but to support responsible exploration and innovation, while ensuring that those who choose to engage with these tools are equipped to do so thoughtfully and ethically.”
Brodey Zade represents the College of Communication and Education as a student senator for the Associated Students. He said he’s strongly against generative AI in education.
“There's no use case for it now,” Zade said. “I think many professors here at Chico State have recognized that and don't allow it in their classrooms.”
Editor’s note: NSPR’s broadcast licenses are owned by Chico State. It does not oversee our news production or programming.
