In a move to support meaningful learning over quick solutions, OpenAI has launched a new feature within ChatGPT called Study Mode. Designed for students and lifelong learners, this tool is meant to help users build critical thinking skills by encouraging thoughtful engagement rather than passive answer collection.
With Study Mode activated, ChatGPT shifts its approach. Instead of offering direct answers right away, the AI engages students with guiding questions, challenges their assumptions, and invites them to explain their reasoning. The goal is to create an interactive learning experience that mirrors tutoring rather than spoon-feeding.
This feature is now being introduced to users across various subscription plans, including free and premium tiers, with plans to extend access to educational institutions soon. According to OpenAI, the rollout is part of a broader effort to redefine how generative AI fits into classrooms and study routines.
As AI tools become increasingly embedded in education, concerns have grown around dependency and the erosion of independent thinking. Many educators have raised questions about students using ChatGPT as a shortcut, bypassing the process of learning altogether. Study Mode attempts to counteract that trend by prioritizing the process of understanding rather than the end result.
While some AI companies have introduced similar tools—Anthropic’s Claude, for example, added a “Learning Mode” earlier this year—OpenAI’s offering is unique in its flexibility. Students can still choose to disable Study Mode at any time, though this raises questions about how effective the feature will be without enforcement mechanisms.
Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s Vice President of Education, has acknowledged that while Study Mode depends on the student’s own motivation, the company may explore adding settings for parents or teachers to encourage more consistent use in academic environments.
Ultimately, the success of Study Mode hinges not just on the technology itself, but on how students choose to engage with it. For those willing to do the work, it could become a valuable companion in developing lasting knowledge and independent thinking—skills that AI can't replace.
Author: Veronica Baciu
With Study Mode activated, ChatGPT shifts its approach. Instead of offering direct answers right away, the AI engages students with guiding questions, challenges their assumptions, and invites them to explain their reasoning. The goal is to create an interactive learning experience that mirrors tutoring rather than spoon-feeding.
This feature is now being introduced to users across various subscription plans, including free and premium tiers, with plans to extend access to educational institutions soon. According to OpenAI, the rollout is part of a broader effort to redefine how generative AI fits into classrooms and study routines.
As AI tools become increasingly embedded in education, concerns have grown around dependency and the erosion of independent thinking. Many educators have raised questions about students using ChatGPT as a shortcut, bypassing the process of learning altogether. Study Mode attempts to counteract that trend by prioritizing the process of understanding rather than the end result.
While some AI companies have introduced similar tools—Anthropic’s Claude, for example, added a “Learning Mode” earlier this year—OpenAI’s offering is unique in its flexibility. Students can still choose to disable Study Mode at any time, though this raises questions about how effective the feature will be without enforcement mechanisms.
Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s Vice President of Education, has acknowledged that while Study Mode depends on the student’s own motivation, the company may explore adding settings for parents or teachers to encourage more consistent use in academic environments.
Ultimately, the success of Study Mode hinges not just on the technology itself, but on how students choose to engage with it. For those willing to do the work, it could become a valuable companion in developing lasting knowledge and independent thinking—skills that AI can't replace.
Author: Veronica Baciu