Key takeaways Oxford University is piloting nebulaONE, an AI gateway service developed by Microsoft partner Cloudforce, with approximately 200 staff members across research, teaching, and professional...
The University of Oxford is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities through a new pilot program with Microsoft partner Cloudforce, bringing secure AI access to staff across multiple departments through the nebulaONE gateway service.
The pilot program involves approximately 200 staff members from research, teaching, and professional services departments, marking an extension of Oxford's ongoing strategic partnership with Microsoft.
The deployment follows an initial rollout at Oxford's Said Business School earlier this summer and comes after the university provided all staff and students with access to ChatGPT Edu, Microsoft Copilot Chat, Google Gemini, and NotebookLM.
The nebulaONE platform, developed by Cloudforce in collaboration with Microsoft, enables users to access various large language models through a single, secure, private environment.
The system can be tailored to meet specific research, academic, and operational requirements across the university.
Users have the flexibility to explore different AI models in a customizable workshop environment and select the most appropriate tool for specific tasks.
The gateway operates within Microsoft Azure technology, allowing the university to safeguard sensitive and proprietary data while eliminating risks associated with public chatbots.
Mark Bramwell, Head of Strategic Digital Partnerships in Oxford's Digital Governance Unit and Chief Digital and Information Officer at Said Business School, said the expansion reflects growing demand for secure AI tools.
"AI adoption is rising rapidly, and offering inclusive access to a range of secure generative AI platforms, tools, and agents is a key part of our evolving digital approach," Bramwell stated, according to the announcement.
"This summer, we were pleased to work with Cloudforce to enable access to nebulaONE for our business school professional services staff, faculty, and researchers. Now Oxford is expanding that provision to trial it with a group of academics and researchers, and professional services colleagues in the wider University, to explore its potential for enhancing the way we work and interact with AI."
Oxford has emphasized the importance of safe and responsible AI use across multiple dimensions, including information security, data protection, academic integrity, health and welfare, and appropriate disciplinary applications.
Alwyn Collinson, Head of the University's AI Competency Centre, highlighted the institution's approach to AI implementation.
"At Oxford, we see AI not as a tool of the future but as a capability that needs to be deployed responsibly in the present, with training and guidance on appropriate use," Collinson said in the announcement.
"We're interested in the way nebulaONE brings together accessibility, security, and flexibility for users. These are key pillars for ensuring that every member of the University who wishes to can develop their AI skills and harness the latest technology to innovate, inquire, and lead."
Pilot participants will provide feedback to guide the gateway's future features, integrations, and development priorities.
The platform is designed to progressively introduce additional functionalities tailored to the university community's needs.
Cloudforce recently received Microsoft's 2025 Education Partner of the Year award, recognizing the nebulaONE platform's impact across educational institutions.
According to company statements, over 85 universities, school systems, and academic medical centers currently use nebulaONE on Microsoft Azure.
Jen Wyatt, Director of Education for Microsoft UK, commented on Oxford's participation in the announcement.
"The university's commitment to meaningfully advancing the conversation around responsible AI integration in education sets a high bar and accelerates the momentum we are seeing in the sector, worldwide," Wyatt said.
"Insight from this pilot will help to guide an innovation pathway for other institutions to follow, and we hope it will inspire a wave of secure AI adoption across the UK and beyond."
Husein Sharaf, Founder and CEO of Cloudforce, emphasized Oxford's role in shaping higher education AI adoption.
"Oxford's influence in the global Higher Education ecosystem cannot be understated," Sharaf stated in the announcement.
"Their voice and leadership are crucial to shaping the approach of hundreds of other top-tier institutions in the US, UK, and beyond as we all collectively navigate the AI journey."
Previous AI pilots at Oxford have revealed diverse use cases across the institution, including enhanced academic research capabilities, streamlined administrative operations, and improved teaching and learning support.
The university joins a growing number of institutions worldwide making similar commitments to secure, inclusive AI provision. Read more:
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