Five cool things you can do with Claude
Northeastern faculty and staff have access to a powerful tool with a surprising array of uses, including research, editing text and even making code.
There’s been a lot of talk about AI chatbots and their power to help people boost their productivity and make their lives easier.
One of the biggest names in AI right now is Anthropic, the maker of Claude, the large-language-model based chatbot that is used by close to 19 million users a month.
In April, Northeastern University announced a partnership with Anthropic to develop responsible AI technologies for higher education. As part of the partnership, students, faculty and staff now have free access to Claude’s premium version.
When used wisely and ethically — it’s important to verify facts and use proper attribution — Claude can be a powerful tool that has a surprising array of uses, including researching topics, editing text, and even making code.
Here are five cool ways you can use it — from planning your next trip to converting your handwritten notes.
Daily planning and time management
Claude has been great in helping me attack my to-do list. I’ve recently started sharing my tasks with it, and it’s helped me develop a daily schedule to get them all done in a timely manner.
It’s also capable of making templates, analyzing and offering suggestions on printed out schedules, and providing tips to minimize distractions.
Converting handwritten notes
I’ve always dreamed of a way to convert my handwritten notes digitally with a few simple clicks.
While not 100% perfect — I always have to double-check that facts and figures have been converted accurately — Claude has been surprisingly helpful in transforming my chicken scratch into readable and searchable documents that I can save to my computer.
The feature works best with neat handwriting and photos taken in well-lit environments.
Finding the best deals online
We’ve all been in a situation where we are making a big purchase and spend hours cross-referencing Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and other retailers to find the best prices.
Claude can be helpful in minimizing the time it takes to find the best deal on your next TV, laptop or pair of sneakers, provided that you confirm the price comparisons it produces are accurate.
Planning your next trip
Similarly, Claude can be a great travel assistant. From producing daily itineraries to restaurant recommendations, Claude can do a surprising amount in the travel department.
It can also help on the logistics front, offering potential transportation options and budget suggestions. You could theoretically ask Claude, “I’m in Seattle for the day. What can I do with $50?” and it should be able to help you out.
Starting conversations with a fun fact or two
Did you know that honey never spoils or that an octopus has three hearts? I didn’t either until I asked Claude to give me a few fun facts to start off my day.
After I double-checked those facts — which Anthropic suggests you should always do — I shared them with some friends. They were intrigued and wanted to know more. It’s the little things that can really bring joy to someone’s day.