New AI Feature Encourages Students to Think First

OpenAI has launched a new feature called Study Mode in ChatGPT, designed to promote active learning and critical thinking among students.

The tool, introduced on Tuesday, encourages users to engage more deeply with study materials by prompting them with questions rather than providing direct answers.

The feature is now available to logged-in users on ChatGPT’s Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans, with plans to extend access to school-managed ChatGPT Edu accounts in the near future.

According to OpenAI, Study Mode aims to shift ChatGPT from simply being a source of solutions to becoming a supportive learning companion. The feature challenges students to reflect on problems and demonstrate effort before receiving guidance. In some cases, the chatbot may decline to provide complete answers unless interaction is shown.

Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s Vice President of Education, said the move was a response to concerns that AI might promote passive learning habits. She explained that the goal is to encourage students to think critically rather than depend entirely on AI-generated responses.

The update comes amid ongoing debates around the role of AI in education. After ChatGPT’s launch in 2022, many schools initially banned its use over fears of academic dishonesty. However, attitudes shifted by 2023, with several institutions opting to integrate the tool as a learning aid rather than block it entirely.

A recent study had shown that students using ChatGPT for writing tasks exhibited lower brain activity than those using traditional methods, prompting educators to question the long-term effects on student cognition.