What Types of Students Use Claude?
Anthropic analyzed 574,740 anonymized conversations between Claude and users at the Free and Pro tiers with higher education email addresses. The company found that computer science students made up the largest group of Claude users, accounting for nearly 37%, compared to much lower adoption among business, health, and humanities students.
Common Claude Queries Based on Discipline
What Do Students Use Claude For?
Anthropic categorized students’ conversations with Claude into four types, all of which were equally represented: Direct Problem Solving, Direct Output Creation, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Collaborative Output Creation.
Academic Benefits (and Costs)
The data shows students use Claude to create in nearly 40% of queries and analyze in 30% of queries. Both of these are considered complex cognitive functions, and students used Claude to execute them a combined 70% of the time.
What’s Next?
Anthropic is experimenting with a Learning Mode that emphasizes the Socratic method and conceptual understanding over direct answers, as well as partnering with universities.
Conclusion
The findings indicate several realities about AI and education — some with more potential than others. While there are legitimate worries that AI systems may provide a crutch for students, stifling the development of foundational skills needed to support higher-order thinking, the company plans to continue its research to "better discern which [interactions] contribute to learning and develop critical thinking."
FAQs
Q: What are the most common uses of Claude among students?
A: The most common uses of Claude among students are Direct Problem Solving, Direct Output Creation, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Collaborative Output Creation.
Q: Which discipline uses Claude the most?
A: Computer science students make up the largest group of Claude users, accounting for nearly 37%.
Q: What are the concerns about using Claude in education?
A: There are legitimate worries that AI systems may provide a crutch for students, stifling the development of foundational skills needed to support higher-order thinking.
Q: What is Anthropic doing to address these concerns?
A: Anthropic is experimenting with a Learning Mode that emphasizes the Socratic method and conceptual understanding over direct answers, as well as partnering with universities.
