ChatGPT May Soon Be Your New AI Study Partner

ChatGPT goes Socratic.

OpenAI appears to be developing a new educational tool for ChatGPT, a move that could shift its role from a simple answer provider to an interactive study companion.

A New Study Buddy in ChatGPT?

As first reported by TechCrunch, several sharp-eyed users on X have spotted a new "Study together" option within the ChatGPT tools menu. Screenshots from those with early access show conversations where the AI guides a user through a problem, such as a math equation, rather than just solving it for them.

How the Socratic Method Powers Learning

The new tool seems to employ the Socratic method, an age-old teaching technique where a guide helps a student arrive at the correct answer by asking a series of probing questions. This approach encourages critical thinking and self-discovery. If released widely, this feature could become an invaluable study partner for the millions of users who already rely on ChatGPT, though OpenAI has not yet officially commented on the feature.

Navigating AI in the Classroom

The use of generative AI in schools has become a major topic of discussion. While some institutions embrace it as a learning aid, its potential for cheating is a significant concern. Several high-profile stories have illustrated this widespread use, painting a picture of an education system in crisis as it struggles to adapt. This issue is compounded by research suggesting there's a cognitive cost to using ChatGPT for writing.

Efforts are being made to address this from the top down, with government actions like the executive order mandating AI training in schools to prepare students for the future. However, many students continue to use ChatGPT to do their homework, forcing teachers into a constant battle to create AI-proof assignments and detect AI-generated work, a task many professors struggle with.

A Step Towards Positive AI Use?

By launching a tool that helps users learn how to find answers themselves, OpenAI may be aiming to steer its technology toward more positive and constructive applications. Shifting the focus from answer-generation to guided learning could be a strategic move to encourage responsible use and directly address the educational challenges posed by its own creation.

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Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.