ChatGPT tests 'Study Together' mode to quiz students instead of doing their homework

Most students use ChatGPT to get quick answers, but OpenAI might be trying to flip that script.

According to a report from TechCrunch, some ChatGPT subscribers have spotted a mysterious new tool in their drop-down menus dubbed "Study Together."

Turning the bot into a tutor

Rather than spitting out instant answers to prompts, users report that this new mode asks follow-up questions and requires the human to answer. It looks like OpenAI's direct answer to Google's educational model, LearnLM.

There is also speculation that the name implies a collaborative setup, where multiple people could eventually join the same chat room in a study group format.

OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment. When asked directly, ChatGPT noted that the company hasn't officially announced when or if Study Together will roll out broadly, or whether it will require a ChatGPT Plus subscription.

Why it matters

ChatGPT has become deeply entrenched in classrooms, but not without blowback. While teachers use it for lesson plans, students often rely on it to ghostwrite essays, prompting criticism that AI is gutting critical thinking in higher education.

We think testing a mode that withholds direct answers is a smart defensive move. If it forces students to articulate their reasoning instead of copy-pasting solutions, it could reposition ChatGPT as a legitimate educational tool rather than a cheating shortcut.

The real test will be user patience. If students just want a fast answer, an AI that pesters them with questions might drive them away, unless OpenAI makes the collaborative study experience genuinely engaging.