OpenAI announced on Monday that it has introduced “Study Mode” function to support students’ learning in ChatGPT. Starting this day, free users can use ChatGPT Plus, professionals, and teams after logging in. ChatGPT Edu, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that is officially used by universities and other learning institutions, will also be available within a few weeks.
OpenAI explained that “Study Mode” is a new experience that not only provides correct answers, but also helps in-depth understanding by solving problems step by step. “Chat GPT is becoming one of the most widely used learning tools in the world,” OpenAI said. “Students look for ChatGPT when solving difficult homework, preparing for exams, and exploring new concepts.” “However, important questions such as ‘Does AI help students learn in practice’ or ‘Doesn’t it simply tell them the answers without helping learners understand?” he said. “We developed ‘Study Mode’ to solve this problem.”
Using “Study Mode,” students can build in-depth understanding through questions and guidance tailored to their goals and skills, and they will not just finish their homework, but will have interesting and active thinking in the learning process itself, OpenAI emphasized. “If you use ChatGPT in classes or tutoring, you can greatly increase your academic performance,” said Leah Belsky, vice president of OpenAI education, but added, “But if you use it like a machine that simply tells you the correct answer, it can interfere with learning.”
Developed with teachers, scientists, and pedagogical experts, “Study Mode” expands thinking until learners and AI come up with the correct answer through communication, and provides information in stages so that complex topics can be easily understood. It also adjusts learning to suit the user’s level based on previous conversation records, checks what has been learned through quizzes and open-ended questions, and strengthens application skills through feedback.
OpenAI said one in three American college students are already using AI tools, adding that “Study Mode” was designed with college students in mind. However, it said that there could be a lack of consistency or mistakes until the learning model is optimized.
In the future, OpenAI plans to study providing visual data on complex or textual concepts, setting goals and tracking progress, and personalization tailored to individual student characteristics.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently appeared on a podcast and mentioned, “In 18 years, education will change dramatically (by AI).” Altman, a Stanford University dropout, said his young son “probably won’t go to college,” adding, “My child couldn’t be smarter than AI.”
“When new technologies like AI emerge, people who grow up with it find out for themselves what to do and have new kinds of jobs,” he said. “So I’m more worried about parents than about children. They have to learn to work in a completely different way at 50.”
SAM KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
