OpenAI Study Mode is now integrated into ChatGPT, and it will not do the cognitive heavy lifting for any learner engaged with it. It is there to stimulate thinking. With the release on Tuesday, OpenAI has now added this feature within the ChatGPT for all users: Free and Pro. The objective: Foster genuine learning and not circumvent it through techniques and strategies meant to shorten the learning process.
Unlike the previous versions that provided answers, Study Mode now assists the learners through the answer by facilitating let ChatGPT answer engagement. ChatGPT now poses insightful prompts, urges users to substantiate their explanations, and at times, withholds answers until students interact and engage with the learning at hand.
What is OpenAI Study Mode?
OpenAI Study Mode is a defined instructional aid that is meant to help students develop as critical thinkers. It is more of a tutor than a cheat sheet.
This is how it functions.
- When activated, ChatGPT takes a more active role by providing instructions on how to approach the solving of the problem at hand.
- It seeks clarification and proposes additional questions rather than giving a response to a question at hand.
- It actively invites users to take a break and attempt to formulate step by step rationale to answer questions.
- This approach differs from the common use of ChatGPT by students. While most students sprint to the end of the process for a quick result, Study Mode helps them understand the importance of the why and how—the building blocks of authentic learning.
Why OpenAI launched Study Mode now
OpenAI is aware of the phenomenon of students using ChatGPT in class—and how it can be beneficial. While the technology can be helpful, there is a worrying trend that AI technology is undermining students’ critical thinking skills.
As students complete tasks using AI for assistance, it is essential to monitor engagement. A June study found students writing essays with ChatGPT displaying lower brain activity than those using Google Search—or nothing at all. That’s a warning flag.
This is the concern that Study Mode is designed to address. Its goal is to make ChatGPT more of a learning partner and less of a mere answer machine.
Starting Tuesday, all users of ChatGPT will have access to Study Mode’s features:
- Free ChatGPT users
- Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers
And soon, Edu plan users—primarily school-wide subscriptions—will have access as well. These are students whose schools have paid for broader access to ChatGPT.
So, Study Mode is not locked and can be turned off. Does that mean students can simply opt to disable Study Mode if they don’t want it? Yes. OpenAI confirmed there are no current controls to lock Study Mode on.
Perhaps parents and teachers feel that this hampers its effectiveness. But Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s VP of Education, states that it is meant to be this way—for now at least. The feature is meant for dedicated learners and not for students aiming to complete mere rote tasks.
The last version might want to be more restrictive to the students, giving the users more flexibility compared to the intended restrictions in the feature.
An important step towards responsible AI use in schooling
Study Mode is not the first of its kind. Anthropic launched Claude’s AI model with Learning Mode back in April. However, OpenAI’s version is more in the spotlight, considering the widespread use of ChatGPT in classrooms.
This is part of OpenAI’s broader plan in creating an AI that students can rely on to be their learning partners instead of just tools for answering questions.
Main Points: OpenAI Study Mode summary
- What: Marking a new feature in ChatGPT, this is meant to foster in-depth analysis and any higher-order thinking by reasoned questioning.
- Why: Attempts to counter the overreliance of advanced tech innovation and encourages the cultivation of analytical skills.
- Who can use it: All ChatGPT users, including Free, Plus, Pro, and Team users. Educational access will be rolled out soon.
- Limitations: Lacks parental or admin restrictions at this time, though these options may be added in future updates.
Final thoughts: AI Thoughts Learning meets AI
With OpenAI, the company has moved in a more defined direction with ‘Study Mode’ toward learning with AI versus learning from it. Rather than providing shortcuts, the company offers scaffolds, the structures students can lean on while building real understanding.
The company has made a smart move in aligning AI tools with the goals of education instead of the surge of wishful thinking around instant answers.
With purpose, OpenAI’s ‘Study Mode’ has the potential to shape students in the defined thinking skills they can independently exhibit as adults.