Anthropic is stepping into the classroom. On Wednesday, the AI company announced the launch of Claude for Education, a new plan tailored for higher education institutions. A clear response to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Edu initiative. With this move, Anthropic is aiming to become a central player in the growing market for AI-powered learning tools.
The new tier offers students, faculty, and campus staff access to Anthropic’s Claude chatbot. But with additional features built specifically for academic environments. One standout tool is Learning Mode, a new component inside Claude Projects. Instead of simply handing over answers, Claude uses Learning Mode to guide users through questions. Test their understanding, and reinforce core concepts. It even helps generate templates for research papers, outlines, and personalized study guides.
With universities increasingly exploring how AI can support teaching and learning. Claude for Education could be a smart growth play for Anthropic. The company reportedly generates around $115 million per month and is targeting even more in 2025. Going head-to-head with OpenAI in education might be part of that strategy. And Anthropic is clearly ready to match its rival’s offerings.
Along with access to the Claude chat interface, this new plan promises enterprise-level security and privacy controls. A crucial element for educational institutions. In a press statement shared ahead of the launch, Anthropic explained how Claude can be used by university administrators to handle tasks like analyzing enrollment data or automating responses to routine student inquiries. For students, Claude can assist in breaking down complex topics like calculus, offering step-by-step explanations that aim to teach rather than replace learning.
To help universities bring Claude into their existing systems, Anthropic is partnering with Instructure, the company behind the widely-used education platform Canvas. It’s also collaborating with Internet2, a nonprofit that provides cloud services to colleges across the U.S. These partnerships are designed to make integration seamless and secure.
The company has already secured full-campus agreements with Northeastern University, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and Champlain College. Northeastern is playing a particularly active role as a design partner, working alongside Anthropic to shape best practices for using AI in the classroom. This includes building tools, setting ethical standards, and developing frameworks that align with academic values.
Looking ahead, Anthropic plans to scale this program through student ambassador roles and AI “builder” initiatives, tapping into the increasing number of students using generative AI regularly. According to a recent survey from the Digital Education Council, over 54% of university students now use generative AI on a weekly basis. Claude for Education could be a way for Anthropic to both capture this growing demand and build brand loyalty among a younger generation of users.
Still, big questions remain. While some educators view AI as a helpful tutor, others worry that it could undermine critical thinking. The research is mixed. As AI becomes more embedded in classrooms, it’s still unclear how — or if — it will truly improve education outcomes.
