ChatGPT is apparently testing a mysterious Study Together Mode that turns AI into a study buddy

India Today

7 days ago

A small number of ChatGPT Plus users have started noticing a new feature called Study Together appear in their tools menu, even though OpenAI hasn't officially announced anything yet. From what we understand so far, this isn't just another typical chatbot feature. It feels like OpenAI is experimenting with a new way to make ChatGPT more helpful in education — not by simply answering questions, but by actually guiding users through study sessions, with quizzes, exercises, and prompts. The tool encourages users to actively participate in the process, almost like having a tutor that asks you questions instead of just giving the solution.advertisementIn this new mode, ChatGPT appears to take on a more active role. Users say the chatbot not only poses questions but also suggests tailored exercises and helps create small tests to practise with. It seems to be designed to make studying more effective, encouraging critical thinking and interaction instead of just copy-pasting answers. The interface itself apparently shows a description stating, 'Practice what you know. Collaborate and learn together,' which gives a hint of where OpenAI might be heading with this idea. While for now it seems limited to individual study, some reports suggest OpenAI may explore group study sessions in the future where multiple users can join the same space and learn together.At the moment, though, it looks like the feature is only visible to a handful of users, most of whom are ChatGPT Plus subscribers. It's unclear how OpenAI is deciding who gets access, and not everyone who sees the feature can use it fully yet. In many cases, people are greeted with a message saying the service isn't available yet. That suggests it's still in the testing phase, possibly part of an A/B rollout OpenAI is quietly running in the background.
This move also comes as OpenAI faces criticism for how its chatbot is being used in classrooms — especially by students looking to shortcut assignments. Features like Study Together may help shift that perception. Instead of acting like a homework cheat sheet, ChatGPT could become a tool that supports real learning. Competitors like Google are already making moves in the education space with their LearnLM project, so it makes sense for OpenAI to show it can do more than just answer questions.As of now, there's no word on when Study Together will roll out more widely, whether it'll remain a Plus-only feature, or if it'll eventually be available to free users. OpenAI hasn't shared any release date or pricing details either.- Ends