OpenAI’s widely used AI chatbot, ChatGPT, appears to be quietly testing a new feature called “Study Together,” sparking intrigue among educators, students, and tech watchers alike.
This experimental tool, which some ChatGPT subscribers have noticed in the tool drop-down menu, seems designed to transform how users interact with the chatbot, shifting from passive Q&A to active, critical engagement.
Rather than simply delivering direct answers, early reports suggest Study Together acts more like an interactive tutor: posing follow-up questions, prompting deeper thinking, and encouraging users to explore topics more thoroughly. Some see this as OpenAI’s answer to Google’s recently announced LearnLM initiative.
Beyond one-on-one learning, there’s speculation that Study Together could support shared study spaces, where multiple users can collaborate in real time potentially turning ChatGPT into a virtual group study room. However, OpenAI has yet to confirm any details about such functionality.
When asked about the feature, ChatGPT itself responded, “OpenAI hasn’t officially announced when or if Study Together will be available to all users, or if it will require ChatGPT Plus.” The company has so far declined further comment.
The emergence of Study Together comes amid heated debate over AI’s impact on education. While many educators see tools like ChatGPT as powerful aids for lesson planning and idea generation, critics warn they can tempt students to sidestep genuine learning.
This new feature might reflect OpenAI’s effort to reposition ChatGPT as an ally in fostering critical thinking rather than a shortcut for easy answers. Whether it will roll out broadly, and how it will reshape digital learning, remains to be seen.
