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In a notable development in the intersection of artificial intelligence and higher education, two prominent AI laboratories, OpenAI and Anthropic, have made recent announcements that highlight their strategic initiatives within academic settings. These announcements reflect a competitive landscape where both organizations are keen to establish their presence in the educational sector.
Anthropic’s recent revelation marks a significant entry into the realm of academia, unveiling “Claude for Education,” a specialized version of its chatbot tailored for university students. Alongside this launch, the company has forged partnerships with several esteemed institutions, including Northeastern University, the London School of Economics (LSE), Champlain College, and technological organization Internet2, as well as Instructure, the company behind the Canvas learning management system. These collaborations aim to enhance equitable access to AI tools that support the integration of artificial intelligence into university curricula.
A key feature of Anthropic’s educational offering is the introduction of “Learning mode.” This innovative capability transforms the interaction between Claude and students by employing Socratic questioning techniques. Rather than simply delivering answers, Claude prompts users with inquiries such as, “How would you approach this?” and “What evidence supports your conclusion?” The intention is to foster critical thinking skills among students rather than simply providing them with direct solutions.
Larry Kramer, the President and Vice-Chancellor of LSE, emphasized the unique role of social scientists in this endeavor, stating, “As social scientists, we are in a unique position to understand and shape how AI can positively transform education and society.”
In contrast, OpenAI has been actively engaged in the educational domain for a longer period, having launched its own educational chatbot, ChatGPT Edu, back in May 2024. This version was created with the academic community in mind and established partnerships with various colleges. Furthermore, the formation of the NextGenAI Consortium, which committed $50 million to bolster AI research across 15 institutions, underscores OpenAI’s dedication to enhancing the educational landscape. Notably, in February, the company allied with California State University, aiming to extend ChatGPT Edu’s availability to all its campuses. Recently, OpenAI announced that it would provide free access to the ChatGPT Plus service, typically priced at $20 per month, for all college students in the United States and Canada through May.
The focus of OpenAI’s latest initiative is clearly stated as being a source of support for students during stressful academic periods such as finals. The ChatGPT Plus benefits include added functionalities such as large file uploads, Deep Research capabilities, and advanced voice features.
Leah Belsky, VP of Education at OpenAI, articulated the challenges faced by contemporary college students, noting, “Today’s college students face enormous pressure to learn faster, tackle harder problems, and enter a workforce increasingly shaped by AI. Supporting their AI literacy means more than demonstrating how these tools work.”
The simultaneous introduction of education-centered initiatives by both Anthropic and OpenAI underscores the significance of college students as a target demographic. The escalating competition to implement AI solutions within academia is indicative of a broader goal: to shape how future generations interact with AI technologies and to position themselves as the preferred AI tools for educational use.
Source
www.theverge.com