OpenStax, the world’s largest nonprofit publisher of open educational resources (OER) based at Rice University, announces a partnership with Google to expand access to relevant, trustworthy educational content. This partnership will enable the OpenStax library of more than 70 openly licensed, peer-reviewed textbooks to be discovered, searched and referenced within Google Gemini. These materials will be available to Gemini users 18 and older in the United States starting in August 2024.
Gemini provides users with access to chat safely and securely using Google’s generative artificial intelligence (AI) models. Gemini can be used as a collaborative thought partner, helping students and educators get fresh ideas while empowering learners of all levels with tailored study tools and guidance. To activate OpenStax within Gemini, users can type in a question such as “@OpenStax explain the concept of supply and demand?” to access accurate responses based on OpenStax content.
This integration aligns with the commitment of OpenStax to democratize knowledge by freely sharing high-quality OER for learning experiences that impact students and educators. As AI becomes increasingly integral in digital learning environments, OpenStax views accuracy, attribution, accessibility and the preservation of academic integrity as key driving principles behind the technology.
“OpenStax and Google share a unified, responsible vision for the use of AI in education,” says Richard Baraniuk, founder and director of OpenStax. “We believe content provided through AI learning tools should be accurate and inclusive. This integration with Gemini embodies these principles, providing another avenue for learners and educators to access our high-quality content through a trusted technology partner.”
“Learning is one of the most popular ways people use Gemini, which is why we’re excited to partner with the world’s most trusted publisher of high-quality, open educational content,” said Jack Krawczyk, senior director of product management for Gemini Experiences. “We look forward to expanding the support we provide students and educators. Building upon quality, rich and specific content helps Gemini create captivating learning experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage critical thinking and allow more students to learn effectively.”
All OpenStax resources will continue to be offered for free online in their entirety and in various formats at OpenStax.org. For those who prefer print versions of learning materials, affordable textbooks remain available.