OpenAI has launched Study Mode in ChatGPT, a new feature designed to foster critical thinking skills in students. Rather than providing direct answers, Study Mode engages users with questions to assess their understanding and may withhold answers until students actively engage with the material.
The rollout of Study Mode began Tuesday for logged-in users on ChatGPT’s Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans. OpenAI anticipates extending the feature to Edu subscribers, including students whose schools have adopted ChatGPT through administrator-purchased plans, in the coming weeks.
This initiative responds to the widespread use of ChatGPT among students. While studies suggest ChatGPT can serve as a helpful tutor, concerns have been raised about its potential to hinder critical thinking. A June research paper indicated that individuals using ChatGPT for essay writing exhibited reduced brain activity compared to those using traditional search methods or no assistance.
The launch of ChatGPT in 2022 initially triggered apprehension among educators, leading to bans on generative AI in numerous school districts across America. However, by 2023, some schools reversed these bans, acknowledging the integration of ChatGPT into students’ lives.
With Study Mode, OpenAI aims to transform ChatGPT into a more effective learning tool, moving beyond its function as a simple answer provider. Anthropic introduced a similar feature called Learning Mode for its AI chatbot Claude in April.
