OpenAI launched Study Mode in ChatGPT Tuesday, aiming to boost students’ critical thinking instead of just giving answers.
With Study Mode on, ChatGPT asks questions to check understanding and sometimes refuses to hand out direct answers until users engage more deeply.
The feature is now live for logged-in users on Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans. Edu subscribers—mostly students from schools with admin-purchased plans—will get it in the coming weeks. 
This move targets the millions already using ChatGPT in school. Research shows ChatGPT helps as a tutor but can weaken critical thinking. A June study even found students using ChatGPT for essays showed lower brain activity than those using Google Search or no help.
ChatGPT’s school use caused bans in many US districts at launch in 2022. By 2023, some schools dropped the bans and accepted ChatGPT as part of learning.
Anthropic rolled out a similar feature, Learning Mode for its AI Claude, in April.
Study Mode has limits. Students can easily switch back to regular ChatGPT for quick answers. OpenAI’s VP of Education Leah Belsky told TechCrunch there are no current tools for parents or admins to lock Study Mode on. They might add controls later.
Belsky said:
“We are not offering tools for parents or administrators to lock students into Study Mode.
However, we may explore administrative or parental controls in the future.”
OpenAI says Study Mode is their first step toward making ChatGPT a better learning aid. They plan to share more data on student AI use down the road.
