OpenAI on 29 July introduced “Study Mode” for ChatGPT, positioning the chatbot as a virtual tutor rather than a quick-answer engine. The new setting draws on Socratic questioning, interactive prompts and scaffolded responses to steer users through problems step by step, pausing for quizzes and other knowledge checks instead of supplying instant solutions. Study Mode is immediately available to logged-in users on the Free, Plus, Pro and Team plans; OpenAI said it will extend the feature to ChatGPT Edu subscribers in the coming weeks. The company developed the mode with pedagogy experts from more than 40 institutions and is partnering with Stanford’s SCALE Initiative to research its impact on learning outcomes. Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s vice president of education, said early evidence shows the tutoring approach 'can significantly improve academic performance' compared with using ChatGPT purely for answers. Product manager Abhi Muchha added that the experience is 'learner-led', adapting to a student’s goals and prior knowledge. The launch arrives amid heightened concern over AI-enabled cheating in schools and a broader race among technology firms to supply education-focused chatbots. Anthropic released a similar 'Learning Mode' for its Claude assistant in April, highlighting intensifying competition for a global ed-tech market that analysts expect to reach roughly $80 billion by 2030.