The education world has been scrambling to adapt since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022. Now, OpenAI is taking a step to position its flagship AI assistant as a learning companion rather than just a homework shortcut.
Yesterday, OpenAI unveiled “Study Mode,” a new ChatGPT feature specifically designed for students. The tool transforms ChatGPT into something closer to a patient tutor than a simple answer generator, focusing on guiding students through learning processes instead of providing ready-made solutions.
“We’ve heard from students and educators that ChatGPT can be a helpful learning companion,” wrote OpenAI in their announcement. “Study Mode helps students think through problems step-by-step, provides explanations for complex concepts, and offers interactive quizzes.”
The feature arrives at a pivotal moment for education. A recent Stanford University study found that 68% of students report using AI tools for schoolwork, even as many institutions struggle with creating coherent policies around their use. The introduction appears to be OpenAI’s bid to shift the narrative from “AI as cheating tool” to “AI as learning aid.”
When activated, Study Mode modifies ChatGPT’s behavior in several key ways. Instead of directly solving problems, it asks guiding questions to help students arrive at answers themselves. It can break down complex topics into more digestible explanations and generate practice problems to reinforce concepts.
David Shapiro, an education technology researcher at the University of Toronto, sees this as a significant shift. “This is OpenAI acknowledging that their tool has fundamentally changed education, for better or worse,” he told me. “They’re trying to get ahead of the backlash by creating a version that aligns more with traditional educational values.”
The timing is particularly notable as schools head into fall semester. Teachers and professors across North America have spent the summer revamping syllabi and assignments to account for AI tools, with approaches ranging from total bans to full integration.
Parkdale High School teacher Melissa Chen has been testing Study Mode with a small group of students. “It’s actually pretty impressive how it shifts from just giving answers to more of a Socratic approach,” she said. “When a student asks about photosynthesis, instead of just explaining it, it asks what they already know and builds from there.”
However, Chen remains cautious about wholesale adoption. “The challenge is that students can still toggle it off with a click. It requires a level of buy-in from students who genuinely want to learn rather than just complete assignments quickly.”
Study Mode also includes an interactive quiz feature that can generate questions to test understanding of material. The system adapts to student responses, providing harder questions when they demonstrate mastery and offering more explanation when they struggle.
Education policy experts point out that OpenAI’s move comes amid mounting pressure from educational institutions. Several major university systems have either restricted ChatGPT use or required explicit disclosure when AI tools assist with assignments.
“This is as much about positioning for OpenAI as it is about improving educational outcomes,” noted education policy analyst Priya Ramanathan. “They need to demonstrate they’re not just disrupting education but offering constructive alternatives.”
For students, the new feature may represent a more ethical middle ground. “I’ve definitely used ChatGPT to help with homework, but sometimes felt guilty about it,” admitted University of British Columbia sophomore Jordan Liu. “Having a version that helps me learn rather than just doing the work for me would make me feel better about using it.”
Teachers’ reactions have been mixed. Some see Study Mode as a welcome evolution, while others question whether any AI tool can truly foster deep learning.
“The fundamental question remains whether learning with AI assistance develops the same cognitive muscles as struggling through problems independently,” said Dr. Nathan Williams, who teaches computer science at Ryerson University. “There’s value in the struggle that might be lost even with this more pedagogically-minded approach.”
Technical limitations also persist. ChatGPT still occasionally provides incorrect information—a phenomenon known as “hallucination” in AI research circles. When I tested the feature with basic calculus problems, it generally provided accurate guidance, but occasionally made computational errors when walking through solutions.
OpenAI acknowledges these limitations in their announcement, noting that Study Mode “is not perfect and still requires human oversight.”
The feature is currently available to all ChatGPT Plus subscribers and will be rolling out to free users in the coming weeks. For educational institutions with OpenAI enterprise accounts, administrators will have options to customize Study Mode settings.
As another school year begins with AI tools firmly embedded in educational landscapes, Study Mode represents one company’s attempt to evolve from disruptor to partner. Whether it meaningfully changes how students interact with AI—or simply provides a veneer of educational legitimacy—remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that the relationship between AI and education continues to evolve rapidly, with each new feature potentially reshaping how a generation learns. For educators, parents, and students navigating this changing landscape, the journey has only just begun.
