OpenAI’s ChatGPT is quietly testing a groundbreaking new feature that could fundamentally change how artificial intelligence supports education. The mysterious “Study Together” mode has begun appearing in select users’ dropdown menus, signaling a potential shift from AI as an answer machine to AI as an interactive learning companion.
The Dawn of Interactive AI Learning
Some ChatGPT subscribers have discovered an intriguing new option called “Study Together” nestled among their available tools. This experimental feature represents a dramatic departure from ChatGPT’s traditional approach of providing direct answers to user queries.
Early reports suggest that Study Together flips the educational script entirely. Instead of simply delivering responses, the AI asks more questions back to users. It prompts them to think critically and engage actively with the material. This approach mirrors what human tutors do best – guiding students toward understanding rather than spoon-feeding answers.
The feature bears striking similarities to Google’s LearnLM project, which focuses on interactive learning experiences. However, OpenAI’s implementation appears to take a more conversational approach to educational support.
Beyond Individual Learning: The Collaborative Potential
Speculation is already building about Study Together’s full capabilities. Could this feature evolve into something more ambitious – a collaborative mode where multiple users join the same chat session? The name itself hints at group functionality that could transform ChatGPT into a virtual study group facilitator.
This possibility opens exciting doors for remote learning and collaborative education. Students could potentially work together on problems while receiving AI guidance that adapts to group dynamics. Teachers might use it to facilitate classroom discussions or create interactive learning experiences.
When asked directly about the feature, ChatGPT itself remained characteristically coy. The AI responded that “OpenAI hasn’t officially announced when or if Study Together will be available to all users — or if it will require ChatGPT Plus.”
Addressing Education’s AI Dilemma
The timing of Study Together couldn’t be more relevant. ChatGPT has become deeply embedded in educational settings, creating both opportunities and challenges. Teachers increasingly rely on it for lesson planning and curriculum development. Students use it as a tutoring resource for complex subjects.
However, the technology’s ease of use has also enabled academic shortcuts. Students can generate entire essays, solve homework problems, or complete assignments without genuine learning. Some educators worry that AI tools might be “killing” higher education by undermining the learning process itself.
Study Together appears designed to address these concerns head-on. By encouraging questions rather than providing immediate answers, it could promote the kind of critical thinking that traditional education values. This approach might help distinguish between legitimate educational support and academic dishonesty.
Technical Implementation and User Experience
The feature has been spotted by users like Liem Do, who shared screenshots on social media showing Study Together in their ChatGPT interface. However, early reports suggest the mode isn’t fully functional yet, indicating it’s still in active development.
References to ChatGPT Study Mode first appeared in May 2025, with wider testing beginning in July. This timeline suggests OpenAI has been carefully developing the feature over several months, likely refining its educational approach based on user feedback and testing data.
The gradual rollout follows OpenAI’s typical pattern of testing new features with select users before broader deployment. This approach allows the company to identify potential issues and optimize the user experience before general availability.
Expanding ChatGPT’s Educational Ecosystem
Study Together isn’t the only educational enhancement in ChatGPT’s pipeline. The platform is also testing new connectors for GPT Search and Deep Research functionality. One particularly interesting development is Slack integration, which would allow ChatGPT Deep Research to analyze Slack messages and use them as context for research tasks.
This Slack connector could prove especially valuable for educational institutions and study groups that rely on messaging platforms for collaboration. Students and educators could potentially leverage their existing conversations to enhance AI-powered research and learning.
These developments position ChatGPT as more than just a chatbot – it’s evolving into a comprehensive educational platform that can adapt to various learning contexts and collaboration styles.
The Broader Impact on News and Information Consumption
While ChatGPT develops its educational capabilities, it’s simultaneously reshaping how people consume news and information. Recent data shows that ChatGPT’s referral traffic to news sites has nearly doubled in 2025, with 83% of external traffic from OpenAI’s platforms going to news and media sites in April.
This represents a significant shift from January 2025, when only 64% of referrals went to news sites. The absolute numbers are even more striking – ChatGPT sent 243.8 million visits to 250 news and media sites in April 2025, a 98% increase from January’s 123.2 million visits.
Major news organizations have seen substantial increases in ChatGPT referral traffic. The BBC experienced a 188.9% increase, Fox News saw 166.3% growth, and The Independent recorded 157.7% more referrals. Even established outlets like Reuters (8.9%) and Business Insider (6.5%) reported meaningful increases.
The Search Landscape Transformation
This growth in ChatGPT referrals comes at a crucial time for news organizations. Traditional Google Search traffic has declined significantly due to the expansion of AI Overviews, where searches increasingly don’t result in clicks to news sites. The percentage of news searches that don’t generate clicks has grown from 56% to nearly 69% between May 2024 and May 2025.
Organic traffic to news sites has dropped dramatically, falling from over 2.3 billion visits at its peak in mid-2024 to less than 1.7 billion visits by May 2025. This decline represents a fundamental shift in how people discover and consume news content.
However, news executives remain cautious about celebrating ChatGPT’s growth. One industry executive noted that while AI referrals have increased over 1000% year-over-year, “this is less explosive than the number implies — it went from a number close to zero to a number that still has negligible impact.”
Challenges and Opportunities for Publishers
The changing landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for news organizations. While ChatGPT referrals are growing, they haven’t yet compensated for the massive losses in traditional search traffic. Publishers are exploring various strategies to adapt, including Google’s Offerwall service for micropayments and newsletter subscriptions.
Some organizations are implementing more sophisticated paywall strategies and exploring alternative monetization models. The crisis has led to widespread layoffs and even complete shutdowns of some news operations, highlighting the urgency of finding sustainable solutions.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged these challenges, stating that while AI can benefit society, “there will be areas where some jobs go away, or maybe entire categories of jobs that go away,” causing “real pain in many cases.”
The Future of AI-Powered Education
Study Together represents more than just a new ChatGPT feature – it signals a potential paradigm shift in AI-powered education. By emphasizing questions over answers, collaboration over isolation, and critical thinking over passive consumption, it could help address many concerns about AI’s role in learning.
The feature’s development comes as educational institutions worldwide grapple with integrating AI tools responsibly. Study Together might provide a model for how AI can enhance rather than replace traditional educational approaches.
If successful, this approach could influence how other AI companies develop educational features. The emphasis on interactive learning and collaborative problem-solving could become standard across the industry.
Looking Ahead: Implementation and Adoption
While OpenAI hasn’t announced official availability dates or pricing details for Study Together, the feature’s testing phase suggests a potential launch in the coming months. The company’s typical rollout pattern involves gradual expansion from limited testing to broader availability.
Educational institutions will likely be key early adopters if Study Together proves effective. Schools and universities could integrate the feature into existing curricula, potentially transforming how students engage with AI-assisted learning.
The success of Study Together could also influence OpenAI’s broader strategy as it prepares for the anticipated launch of GPT-5. Educational applications represent a significant market opportunity, especially as concerns about AI’s impact on traditional learning continue to grow.
As ChatGPT evolves from a simple question-answering tool into a comprehensive educational platform, Study Together could mark the beginning of a new era in AI-powered learning – one where artificial intelligence truly enhances human education rather than replacing it.
Sources
- ChatGPT is testing a mysterious new feature called ‘study together’ – TechCrunch
- ChatGPT is testing disruptive Study Together feature – BleepingComputer
- ChatGPT: Inovação Educacional com “Study Together” e o Desafio do Tráfego para Notícias – Medium
- ChatGPT Is Testing a ‘Study Together’ Mode – WeRSM
