Introduction to AI in Education
Two leading AI labs, OpenAI and Anthropic, have recently announced major initiatives in higher education. This move is part of the ongoing competition between these labs to integrate AI tools into academia. The announcements were made on consecutive days, with Anthropic making its announcement on Wednesday and OpenAI following suit on Thursday.
Anthropic’s Education Initiative
Anthropic launched Claude for Education, a university-focused version of its chatbot. This initiative marks the company’s first major push into the academic sector. As part of this launch, Anthropic has partnered with several institutions, including Northeastern University, the London School of Economics (LSE), and Champlain College. The company has also collaborated with Internet2, which builds university tech infrastructure, and Instructure, the maker of Canvas, to promote "equitable access to tools that support universities as they integrate AI."
Learning Mode: A New Approach to Education
At the heart of Anthropic’s education-focused offering is "Learning mode," a feature designed to change how Claude interacts with students. Rather than simply providing answers, Learning mode uses Socratic questioning to guide students through problems. This approach encourages critical thinking skills by asking questions like "How would you approach this?" or "What evidence supports your conclusion?" The goal is to help students develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter, rather than just completing their homework.
OpenAI’s Education Initiatives
OpenAI has been active in the higher education space for nearly a year. The company launched ChatGPT Edu in May 2024, a university-focused version of its chatbot that came with multiple college partnerships. Last month, OpenAI formed the NextGenAI Consortium, committing $50 million to accelerate AI research across 15 colleges. In February, the company partnered with California State University to bring ChatGPT Edu to all CSU campuses. Most recently, OpenAI announced that ChatGPT Plus, which normally costs $20 a month, will be free for all U.S. and Canadian college students through May.
Supporting Students with AI
The OpenAI initiative highlights that ChatGPT is "here to help you through finals," offering Plus tier benefits like large file uploads, Deep Research, and advanced voice features. According to Leah Belsky, VP of Education at OpenAI, "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 Significance of AI in Education
The simultaneous release of education initiatives by Anthropic and OpenAI reveals the high value placed on college students in the AI landscape. The competition to embed AI tools in academia is ultimately a competition to shape how the next generation works with AI and to become their default AI tool. As President and Vice-Chancellor of LSE Larry Kramer noted, "As social scientists, we are in a unique position to understand and shape how AI can positively transform education and society."
Conclusion
The recent announcements by Anthropic and OpenAI mark a significant milestone in the integration of AI in higher education. As these labs continue to innovate and compete, it is likely that we will see even more advanced AI tools being introduced into academia. The ultimate goal is to support students in developing the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly AI-driven world. By providing students with access to these tools and promoting AI literacy, Anthropic and OpenAI are helping to shape the future of education and the workforce.
