OpenAI announced the launch of Study Mode on Tuesday, a new feature in ChatGPT designed to help students develop critical thinking skills rather than merely providing answers. When Study Mode is activated, ChatGPT will ask users questions to assess their understanding and may withhold direct answers unless users engage more deeply with the material.
Starting Tuesday, Study Mode is rolling out to logged-in users on ChatGPT’s Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans. The company anticipates extending this feature to its Edu subscribers—primarily young students from schools that have purchased a plan for their entire student body—in the coming weeks.
This initiative aims to address concerns regarding the millions of students using ChatGPT in educational settings. While studies indicate that ChatGPT can serve as a beneficial tutor, there are worries it may hinder students’ critical thinking abilities. A June research paper found that students using ChatGPT to write essays exhibited lower brain activity compared to those using Google Search or not using any tool at all.
When ChatGPT launched in 2022, its rapid adoption in schools raised alarm among educators, leading many American school districts to implement bans on generative AI. However, by 2023, some of these bans were lifted as teachers accepted that ChatGPT would be a part of students’ lives.
With the introduction of Study Mode, OpenAI aims to transform ChatGPT into a more effective learning tool rather than just an answer generator. Similarly, Anthropic launched a feature called Learning Mode for its AI chatbot Claude in April.
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However, there are limitations to Study Mode’s effectiveness. Students can easily switch back to regular mode for straightforward answers. Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s VP of Education, explained in a TechCrunch briefing that the company currently does not provide tools for parents or administrators to enforce Study Mode, but may consider such options in the future.
Ultimately, using Study Mode requires a commitment from students, as they need to be genuinely interested in learning rather than just completing assignments.
OpenAI views Study Mode as a first step toward enhancing educational experiences with ChatGPT and plans to share more information on how students utilize generative AI in their studies.
SOURCE: TECH CRUNCH
