In building Study Mode, OpenAI said it was inspired by "power users" who were already trying to adapt ChatGPT into a personal tutor or test prep tool via specific sets of prompts. Through Study Mode, OpenAI says it hopes to give less technically minded users the ability to access "a personal tutor that never gets tired of their questions."

OpenAI launches ChatGPT Study Mode, transforming AI from an answer engine into a Socratic tutor that guides students through problems step-by-step rather than providing direct solutions.

OpenAI’s new study mode for ChatGPT throws questions back at students, but the learning feature doesn’t address generative AI’s underlying disruption of education.