The higher‑ed AI gambit: OpenAI and Google’s battle to win next-gen users

The news: Google and OpenAI are racing to win college users by offering free access to their premium AI plans to expand AI adoption.

• Google One AI Premium offers US students 2 TB storage and Gemini‑powered tools at no cost through June 30, 2026, if they sign up by June 30, 2025. 
• OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus is free for US and Canadian college students until May 31, 2025. 

Getting younger generations into AI early: AI competitors are emulating Google’s Chromebook strategy in which it made its Chrome OS hardware and tools accessible to K-12 students as a long-term bid to win loyalty and expand future market share.