Starting in the fall 2026 semester, ASU will add an Advanced Technology fee to students' billing, according to the ASU Academic Catalog.
Students enrolled in fewer than seven hours will pay an additional $50, and those enrolled in more than seven hours will pay an additional $100. The charge is applied to all enrolled students, and the fee will pay for student access to AI tools, digital experiences and intelligent systems across campus.
"The Advanced Technology Fee assessed to students provides access to artificial intelligence tools and platforms and other technologies, immersive learning experiences and personalized digital services," An ASU spokesperson said. "This will enhance instruction and academic support and help prepare students with industry-relevant skills."
Kasim Selcuk Candan, a professor at the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, said while learning can be different for each individual, the addition of the new technologies from the University will provide students with access to educational resources that can adapt to individual learning styles.
"So what ASU is doing is basically (creating) these sorts of tools, these technologies that are fine-tuned for the needs of the students, hopefully minimizing all the risks," Selcuk Candan said. "This is going to create a level playing field."
As AI becomes more prevalent, access to paywalled systems can create a gap between students who can afford the technology and those who cannot, Selcuk Candan said. He added that the fee aims to reduce the "digital divide," enabling students to access the same tools as their peers.
"Each and every student will have access to these tools, and then we can responsibly and effectively use this in learning environments," Selcuk Candan said.
David McElhoes, an instructor at the School for Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, said that the fee can help students reduce the "cost burden" of using AI tools at a price similar to a textbook. The Advanced Technology Fee can be cheaper than monthly subscription options for ChatGPT, Claude.ai and other AI tools.
"Approaching 2026, I think that $200 a year is a deal, given that everybody is going to need to start using this stuff," McElhoes said.
Despite the potential benefits of university-wide accessibility, some students are questioning why they are required to pay another fee, especially for a technology that professors may prohibit for coursework, and the use of which can at times constitute an Academic Integrity violation.
"I don't know why they would give (the fee) to every student, because not all majors are going to have AI classrooms," Bethelehem Tejeji, a sophomore studying computer science, said. "If it's something like writing or art or something of that nature, where it's very human-focused ... I don't think they would exactly be happy with that."
Tejeji said she has been told by her professors not to use AI in the classroom, which she said left her confused about why the University would add this charge.
"It's kind of making all my effort useless," Tejeji said. "Why am I even in this major if I'm just going to ChatGPT it?"
Punya Mishra, the director of the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, said the University's responsibility is to prepare students for what the future will look like, and that AI will certainly be a part of that future.
"I sort of like ASU's perspective," Mishra said. "From day one, I think President (Michael) Crow and others have said that, 'okay, (AI) is here, how can we figure out the best ways of using it?'"
Across various disciplines — art, philosophy, education, engineering — AI is being implemented in classrooms at the University. Increased funding for advanced technology can be used to educate students on how to navigate the new technologies becoming prevalent. However, Mishra emphasized the importance of careful implementation.
"I hope that at the same time, we do take a critical lens to it; that we aren't unthinkingly accepting of it," Mishra said.
Edited by Kate Gore, Jack McCarthy and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporters at galawre3@asu.edu and myerrag1@asu.edu.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Grace Lawrence is a reporter for the community culture desk at The Arizona State Press. This is her 1st semester working with The State Press.
Meghana Yerragovula is a reporter for the state press. She is on her second semester writing as a reporter.
