• Sam Altman is the CEO of the AI software chatbot ChatGPT
  • ChatGPT has a paid version that recently added an AI feature to create images
  • For May, Altman has made the paid version free for US college students
ChatGPT
Chat GPT has created an update that generates photos. Credit: IMAGO/ Panama Pictures

How generous, ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman, 39, says the paid version will be free until May. He made the AI chatbot free in May for college students in the US and Canada. Altman released the first software on 30 November 2022 as a free system.

Since then, the software has had multiple versions, including the most recent GPT-4.5. The latest paid version of the software can generate AI images from prompts, which users have been messing around with.

Read More: TikTok Ban: What happens when deadline passes?

Now, Altman has made the expensive software free for a time, and college students are delighted. But why has he done it, and what did he say about it? Read on to find out!

Why did Sam Altman make premium ChatGPT free in May?

Sam Altman, ChatGPT
Sam Altman, the ChatGPT CEO. Credit: IMAGO / Jens Schicke

In a statement on X account, Altman wrote: “ChatGPT Plus is free for college students in the US and Canada through May!

Altman did not give a reason, but we can imagine it is because May is exam season in the US and Canada for college students. At this time, students may also be busy with final projects for their spring semesters.

A survey by the AI software company found that “one-third of U.S. adults aged 18 to 24 use the platform.” A quarter of their queries relate to academic work, making the programme valuable to college students and those in education.

The deal is running from now until the end of May.

How did the internet react?

The internet had mixed reactions. Some praised Altman’s decision in response to his X post. On the flip side, others said the deal was to keep existing customers happy, and that Altman was not inclusive enough to students outside of Canada and the US.

One user on X responded to Altman’s tweet and asked, “Why not everyone?”

Good question. Maybe because Altman will lose too much money if he makes the paid version free for college students everywhere.

Another user asked Altman why Indian students weren’t included in the deal. They wrote in a post, “I think India is ChatGPT’s biggest user. What about it?”

Outside of the negative reactions, Altman was praised by other X users. One user responded to his post, “This is cool. Makes AI more accessible and also adoptable.”

Another happy user responded, “Goat”. Greatest CEO of all time for sure!

Down with the kids

Humorously, one user responded, “Me until the end of May”.

The meme posted by the user, “How do you do, fellow kids,” is from a 30 Rock episode where Steve Buscemi’s character, Lenny, tries to disguise himself as a high school student to blend in.

Praising Altman, another user said, “That’s an amazing initiative! Giving college students free access to ChatGPT Plus will definitely enhance their learning experience and creativity. Great move, Sam!”

If you’re a college student in the US or Canada, go and enjoy that free experience now!

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Sophie Humphrey
Sophie Humphrey is a freelance writer and journalist. Sophie has seven years experience in journalism and has a keen interest in pop culture and entertainment. Sophie has worked for the likes of Time Out London, The Upcoming and Screen rant.
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