Starting from the spring of 2026, Kyung Hee University (KHU)’s Digital Transformation (DX) Promotion Team has officially launched ChatKHU, an internal large language model (LLM) service, to provide students and faculty with a secure and integrated artificial intelligence (AI) platform.

Background and Distinctiveness of ChatKHU

As generative artificial intelligence services such as ChatGPT have become widely used among university students, concerns have also emerged regarding security, cost, and data management when relying on external platforms. In particular, the use of commercial AI services involves the potential risk of sensitive information—such as research data, administrative records, and personal information—being transmitted to external servers. These limitations have highlighted the need for a more controlled and secure AI environment within the University community.

In response, ChatKHU was developed as an internal and integrated AI platform tailored to the needs of its academic community. According to the DX Promotion Team, the platform was designed not only to resolve structural issues related to external AI usage but also to provide a safe and responsible environment for AI utilization. By operating on its own cloud system, ChatKHU ensures that internal data is processed within the University, minimizing the risk of external data leakage.

Furthermore, ChatKHU differs from conventional AI usage in that it offers a unified system where multiple AI models and functionalities can be accessed within a single platform. This transition from individually used external AI tools to a centralized institutional platform represents a significant shift in how AI is utilized across education, research, and administration among KHU members.

ChatKHU, KHU’s internal generative AI platform

Photo: KHU (www.khu.ac.kr)

Key Features and Operational System

One of the key strengths of ChatKHU is the ability to provide access to a variety of advanced AI models within a single interface. Users can select from different LLMs developed by companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, allowing for flexible and diverse applications depending on their needs. In addition to text-based interaction, the platform supports multiple formats, including image generation, presentation creation, and voice-based communication, posing itself as a useful tool for members of the University.

Another notable feature is its credit-based usage system. Undergraduate students are provided with 2,000 credits per month, while faculty and staff receive 5,000 credits. These credits function as a measure of AI usage and are reset monthly. This system allows the University to manage overall costs efficiently while providing users with consistent access to AI tools.

In addition, ChatKHU adopts a token pool system, in which AI usage is calculated in token units and shared across users. This approach enables a more cost-effective structure compared to individual subscriptions to external AI services, as resources are managed collectively at the institutional level.

Expansion, AI Utilization, and Policy

Beyond its basic functions, ChatKHU is designed to expand the ways in which AI can be utilized across academic and administrative activities. One of its key features is the ability to create customized chatbots using internal data through retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). By uploading materials such as lecture notes, regulations, and research documents, users can build AI tools tailored to specific purposes without requiring coding knowledge. The platform further enables users to design, manage, and share these chatbots within the University community.

At the same time, the University’s DX Promotion Team has emphasized the importance of ethical and responsible AI usage. Guidelines have been established to prevent the input of personal or sensitive information, and users are advised to verify AI-generated outputs before applying them in academic or professional contexts. These measures aim to ensure that the expansion of AI usage is accompanied by a strong framework of data protection and academic integrity.

The platform is expected to continue evolving with the addition of new features, including real-time voice interaction, integration with external services, and enhanced data-based analysis tools. Such developments reflect the University’s ongoing effort to refine its AI infrastructure and expand its practical applications.

ChatKHU represents more than the introduction of a new technology; it serves as a core infrastructure for KHU’s broader digital transformation strategy. By providing a secure, integrated, and institution-wide AI environment, the platform is expected to support innovation in education, research, and administration. At the same time, it establishes a foundation for responsible AI governance, emphasizing data protection, ethical usage, and academic integrity within the University community.