As Round Two of the Open AI Challenge Concludes, UNO Productivity Soars

published: 2025/08/18
contact: UNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI)
email: innovate@unomaha.edu

Illustration of a red rocket launching upward with smoke, next to a pointing hand emerging from a red circle, with the headline "UNO Productivity Soars" in bold red text.

Increased productivity. This is the resounding theme of the second round of the Open AI Challenge. In fact, the data show a 17% increase in productivity from the first round, which was already an impressive jump for participants.

Round Two: Greatest Successes

Among participants, 96% reported increased productivity, with 66% saving at least three hours per week; even greater, we found 7% saved more than 10 hours weekly.

While this increase in saved time and increased productivity surely feels like a win, it points to something even more fulfilling about the OpenAI Challenge: most users feel ChatGPT has improved their academic or work experience.

When we make work more positive for people, we free them to approach their jobs with greater clarity and purpose, making the staff and UNO student experience even better.

Refresher: What is the OpenAI Challenge?

As a reminder, in an effort to increase the strategic, creative, and ethical uses of artificial intelligence on campus, the Division for Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI) has encouraged UNO staff and faculty to submit proposals for how they could use AI in their day-to-day work or in the classroom to do at least one of three things 1) cultivate creativity, 2) enhance engagement, or 3) improve efficiency.

Round two of the challenge proved to do all three. In fact, check out these examples of how AI is being used on UNO’s campus:

What’s Next for AI on campus?

The AI Learning Lab is committed to helping participants learn more about artificial intelligence, as well as partnering with them from the proposal stage to AI implementation. In fact, 96% of users in round two found integration into their workflows very or somewhat easy, with 70% rating it as very easy.

Digital ethics; creativity; and the betterment of UNO staff, faculty, and students continue to be the guiding lights for this initiative. There are still limited licenses available and endless ways you can integrate AI into your workflow, so if you’re interested in obtaining a license, apply on our Open AI Challenge website today.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.