Anthropic Unveils AI Chatbot Tier Tailored for Higher Education

PLUS: DeepSeek AI Breakthrough Ignites Hong Kong IPO Surge

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Anthropic Unveils AI Chatbot Tier Tailored for Higher Education

Anthropic, a trailblazing AI research firm founded by ex-OpenAI researchers, has rolled out a specialized tier of its Claude chatbot designed specifically for colleges and universities. Announced on April 2, 2025, this initiative aims to bring advanced AI tools into academic settings, offering institutions a cost-effective way to enhance teaching, research, and administrative tasks.

The new “Edu Tier” provides access to Claude, Anthropic’s conversational AI model, at a discounted rate for accredited higher education institutions. Unlike its commercial counterparts, this plan prioritizes features suited for academia, such as integration with learning management systems, support for research analysis, and tools to assist with drafting academic content. Anthropic says the move reflects its mission to make AI safe, interpretable, and accessible, with a focus on empowering the next generation of scholars.

“Universities are where critical thinking and innovation collide,” said Dario Amodei, Anthropic’s co-founder and CEO. “We want Claude to be a partner in that process—helping students and faculty explore ideas, streamline workflows, and push boundaries responsibly.” The tier includes safeguards to ensure ethical use, such as filters to prevent misuse and transparency features that let users peek under the hood of Claude’s decision-making.

Early adopters include Stanford University and the University of Edinburgh, which are piloting Claude for tasks like tutoring, grading assistance, and even generating research summaries. Faculty feedback has been positive, with Dr. Emily Chen, a Stanford computer science professor, noting, “It’s like having a tireless research assistant who’s always ready to brainstorm or fact-check.”

The launch comes as AI adoption in education accelerates, with competitors like Google and Microsoft also eyeing the sector. However, Anthropic’s emphasis on interpretability—allowing users to understand how Claude arrives at answers—sets it apart in a field often criticized for opaque “black box” models. Pricing starts at $10 per user per month, with volume discounts for larger institutions, making it a competitive option against pricier enterprise AI solutions.

This move builds on Anthropic’s momentum after securing $750 million in funding last year, valuing the company at $18 billion. Analysts see the Edu Tier as a strategic play to lock in long-term users while advancing AI’s role in education. Still, challenges remain, including concerns over academic integrity and data privacy, which Anthropic vows to address with robust compliance measures.

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DeepSeek AI Breakthrough Ignites Hong Kong IPO Surge

A wave of enthusiasm is sweeping through Hong Kong’s initial public offering (IPO) market as Chinese companies seize a prime opportunity to go public, fueled by global investor interest following DeepSeek’s groundbreaking AI advancements in late January. This surge in activity marks a level of excitement unseen in over three years, despite lingering U.S.-China trade tensions. IPOs offer a lucrative exit strategy for early investors in startups, and the current climate is proving ideal for capitalizing on this momentum.

George Chan, EY’s global IPO leader, noted the seamless collaboration driving this boom: “IPO candidates, investors, and regulators are working in perfect harmony to foster a thriving Hong Kong IPO market.” He highlighted the return of U.S. long-term funds as a sign of growing confidence in China, bolstered by strong post-IPO performances.

The first quarter of 2025 saw six IPOs in Hong Kong raise over 1 billion Hong Kong dollars ($130 million), a sharp rise from just one such listing in the same period last year, according to KPMG. Standout successes include the oversubscribed debut of Chinese bubble tea giant Mixue on March 3, and the filing by battery powerhouse Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) in February for what could be Hong Kong’s biggest IPO since 2021’s Kuaishou listing.

DeepSeek, a China-based AI innovator, has been a key catalyst. Its claim to match OpenAI’s ChatGPT in reasoning capabilities—at a fraction of the cost, despite U.S. restrictions on advanced chip access—sent shockwaves through global tech markets in January, while sparking a rally in China. The Hang Seng Index soared to a three-year peak, reflecting renewed optimism. This momentum was further amplified by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s rare February meeting with tech entrepreneurs and Beijing’s signals of increased support for the private sector, reversing years of tighter controls.

While Hong Kong’s Q1 haul of 15 IPOs raising 17.7 billion HKD marks its strongest start since 2021, it still falls short of the 32 IPOs that amassed 132.7 billion HKD in Q1 2021, per KPMG. To sustain this revival, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has tweaked listing rules, easing the path for mainland-listed firms like Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, Mabwell, Haitian Flavoring and Food, Fortior Tech, and Sanhua Intelligent Controls to tap the market. Tiger Brokers, a frequent underwriter for Chinese IPOs, noted, “Regulators are pushing companies to list in Hong Kong to diversify funding and support outbound M&A ambitions.”

This resurgence follows a challenging period, exemplified by the 2021 fallout from Didi’s U.S. IPO. Now, DeepSeek’s AI breakthrough is rekindling global interest, positioning Hong Kong as a vital hub for China’s tech-driven economic push.

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Other Top AI News Today

Google Gemini Executive Steps Down

Sissie Hsiao, a key executive leading Google’s Gemini AI project, has stepped down, sparking discussions about a potential reshuffle within Google’s AI division. This move comes amid ongoing efforts to advance Google’s AI capabilities in a highly competitive landscape.

Chinese Firms Order $16 Billion in Nvidia Chips

Chinese companies have placed orders totaling $16 billion for Nvidia’s latest AI chips, reflecting strong demand for advanced hardware to power AI applications. This underscores China’s continued investment in AI infrastructure despite global supply chain challenges.

MLCommons Unveils New AI Benchmarks

MLCommons, an AI research group, has introduced two new benchmarks designed to measure the speed and efficiency of running AI applications on cutting-edge hardware and software. These tools aim to provide a standardized way to evaluate AI performance.

Large Language Models Pass the Turing Test

Reports indicate that large language models (LLMs) have officially passed the Turing Test, a milestone in AI development where machines can convincingly mimic human conversation. This achievement highlights the rapid progress in natural language processing.

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Business Tip of the Day

Uncovering the Hottest AI IPOs with Smart Research

When investing in initial public offerings (IPOs) related to artificial intelligence, one of the most critical steps is to dive deep into research before committing your capital. IPOs can offer significant opportunities, especially in a fast-evolving field like AI, but they also come with heightened risks due to limited historical data and market volatility. Here’s how to approach it:

Start by researching the company’s fundamentals—its business model, leadership team, and competitive edge in the AI space. For example, is the company a pure-play AI innovator (like an AI model developer) or a firm leveraging AI to enhance existing operations (e.g., a hardware provider for AI infrastructure)? Look at their revenue streams, funding history, and any partnerships with established tech giants, as these can signal credibility and growth potential. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI firm, sparked a Hong Kong IPO boom in 2025 after showcasing cost-effective AI reasoning capabilities, highlighting how breakthrough technology can drive investor interest.

Next, assess the broader market context. AI-related IPOs often ride waves of hype, so check industry trends and analyst sentiment on platforms like X or financial news outlets. Are competitors also going public? Is the sector overheated? Timing matters—entering an IPO during a peak AI enthusiasm phase, like post-DeepSeek’s January 2025 breakthrough, could mean paying a premium, while waiting for stabilization might offer better value.

To invest, you’ll typically need a brokerage account that provides access to IPO shares, such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or newer platforms like Robinhood, which sometimes cater to retail investors for high-demand listings. However, IPO shares are often allocated preferentially to institutional or high-net-worth clients, so confirm availability with your broker early. Alternatively, consider waiting for the stock to trade on the secondary market after the IPO, where you can buy at a potentially more informed price once initial volatility settles.

The key is patience and diligence: research the company’s AI niche, validate its potential against market needs, and align your investment with your risk tolerance. This approach can help you capitalize on AI-driven IPOs while avoiding overhyped pitfalls.

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Darius @ SumoGrowth