We’ve come a long way since the emergence of GenAI, which saw widespread wrist-wringing among educators about students potentially using tools like ChatGPT to cheat and bypass the hard work required in their studies. Since then, monitoring tools, AI detection software, and various other methods have helped address this issue.
Now, rather than avoiding AI, educational institutions are beginning to embrace it. In fact, in a world-first partnership, The University of Manchester is offering Microsoft 365 Copilot training and access to all students and staff. In this analysis, I’ll discuss what this means in practice and its context within the broader Copilot initiative.
AI Agent & Copilot Summit is an AI-first event to define opportunities, impact, and outcomes with Microsoft Copilot and agents. Building on its 2025 success, the 2026 event takes place March 17-19 in San Diego. Get more details.
Tens of Thousands of Users
Under the new partnership, more than 65,000 staff and students at The University of Manchester will receive full access to and training on Microsoft 365 Copilot — a world-first. “AI is now part of everyday life. Our responsibility is not only to make these tools available to all our students and staff on an equitable basis, but to use the depth of expertise across our university to shape how AI is developed and applied for public good,” said Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester.
“By embracing the AI transformation early, we are working with students, colleagues, and partners to maximise the benefits and manage risks responsibly. The great universities of the 21st century will be digitally enabled — this partnership represents a significant step on that journey for Manchester.”
As well as closing the “digital divide,” another essential part of the agreement with Microsoft is that training will be delivered not only to enable the most effective use of Microsoft’s Copilot technology, but also the most responsible use. This ties in with the university’s long-term vision for AI and digital technologies, focusing beyond simply integrating AI tools and looking at literacy in the field as well as responsible integration.
Regarding timelines, the full Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout should be complete by summer. In terms of impact, the move aims to achieve several outcomes.
Beyond the abilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot to support students in their study programs, graduates from the university will have an edge when it comes to entering positions in the AI-driven workplace. By providing universal access, the university is helping to create a level playing field by closing the digital divide and ensuring that all have the same benefits from the tools.
In terms of institutional impact, Microsoft 365 Copilot users in academia can benefit from greater productivity and gain access to larger knowledge bases: “Manchester researchers are already using AI to advance breast cancer treatment and improve menopause care, transform crop productivity, and reduce waste in the fashion industry,” reads a press release from the university.
“As someone who grew up in Manchester, I’m proud to see the University extending access to Microsoft 365 Copilot across its entire community, helping 65,000 students and staff build the skills they’ll need to thrive in an AI‑enabled economy,” said Darren Hardman, CEO, Microsoft UK & Ireland. “This is a powerful example of how we can pair Manchester’s deep AI heritage with responsible, ethical adoption that helps to close the digital divide and equip people to learn, research, and work more effectively.”
Closing Thoughts
This announcement is a strong endorsement of Microsoft’s commitment to responsible AI. By aligning Copilot with the University of Manchester’s dedication to safe and ethical AI use, Microsoft demonstrates that it can scale GenAI while respecting institutional governance goals and academic values. In a pilot carried out between 2024 and 2025, 90% of licensed users adopted the tools within 30 days, and close to 50% were using them “several” times a week.
As the first university globally to implement a rollout of this breadth, The University of Manchester provides Microsoft with a powerful proof point: that responsible AI is not a constraint, but a differentiator. On an even greater scale, Microsoft is at the forefront of one of the biggest, somewhat untapped use cases for GenAI: higher education.
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