OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Study Mode to Enhance Student Engagement

OpenAI has launched a new Study Mode for ChatGPT aimed at reducing misuse by students who rely on the chatbot to complete assignments without engaging deeply in the learning process. This feature, available across Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans, encourages active learning using the Socratic method by guiding students through problems step by step with interactive prompts, quizzes, and self-reflection questions instead of simply providing answers. The mode was developed in collaboration with over 40 educational experts and institutions to foster critical thinking and long-term retention. Studies, including one from MIT, have shown that overreliance on AI for academic work can diminish brain activity related to attention and reasoning, producing less cognitively engaged students. By transforming ChatGPT into a learning companion rather than a shortcut tool, OpenAI aims to support independent study and enhance educational outcomes while deterring academic dishonesty. Users can toggle Study Mode on or off, and OpenAI plans further improvements to deepen its integration and educational impact.