OpenAI and Anthropic, two prominent players in the artificial intelligence sector, have announced substantial developments aimed at higher education. This week saw a competitive unveiling, with Anthropic releasing its initiative at 8 AM on Wednesday, followed closely by OpenAI’s announcement at 8 AM on Thursday.
Anthropic’s announcement marks its entry into the academic realm, introducing “Claude for Education,” a specialized version of its chatbot designed for universities. The initiative includes collaborations with institutions such as Northeastern University, the London School of Economics (LSE), and Champlain College, along with partnerships with Internet2, a provider of university tech infrastructure, and Instructure, known for its Canvas platform. These collaborations aim to enhance equitable access to AI resources within educational settings.
A focal feature of Anthropic’s educational tool is its “Learning mode,” which transforms the interaction between the chatbot and students. Instead of offering direct answers, Learning mode employs Socratic questioning techniques, prompting students to think critically with questions like, “How would you approach this?” or “What evidence supports your conclusion?” This approach encourages the enhancement of critical thinking skills rather than simply completing assignments.
Larry Kramer, President and Vice-Chancellor of LSE, highlighted the unique role social scientists have in influencing how AI can positively impact education and society in Anthropic’s press release.
In contrast, OpenAI has been actively engaged in higher education for nearly a year. The company introduced ChatGPT Edu in May 2024, a university-centric variant of its chatbot that included several partnerships with colleges. Last month, OpenAI established the NextGenAI Consortium, pledging $50 million to boost AI research across 15 universities. Additionally, in February, the organization partnered with California State University to provide ChatGPT Edu to all CSU campuses, and on Thursday, it announced that ChatGPT Plus, a subscription service priced at $20 monthly, will be offered free to all college students in the U.S. and Canada until May.
The latest initiative from OpenAI emphasizes support for students during exam periods, offering enhanced features such as the ability to upload larger files, Deep Research capabilities, and advanced voice functionalities.
Leah Belsky, VP of Education at OpenAI, noted that supporting today’s college students in navigating an AI-infused landscape involves more than demonstrating how these tools work; it enables them to learn at an accelerated pace while tackling complex issues.
The simultaneous roll-out of educational initiatives by both labs underscores the strategic importance of college students in the ongoing integration of AI in academia. This burgeoning competition aims to establish a foothold as a preferred AI tool for the next generation of learners.
