AI tutors reshaping how students learn

Bots are now turning teachers, but at a cost

- SUGANDHA MUKHERJEE

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS quietly moved from being an assignment helper to becoming a full-fledged study partner, guiding students step by step. Across classrooms and living rooms, a new generation of AI-powered tutoring tools are aiming not just to give answers, but to transform how young people learn, and the shift is accelerating.

The latest example comes from OpenAI, which has rolled out Study Mode inside ChatGPT to users worldwide on Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans. Available across iOS, Android, web, and desktop, the feature turns the chatbot into an adaptive learning environment. When a student activates Study Mode, ChatGPT begins by asking questions to gauge their goals and skill level. From there, it builds a personalized learning path, breaking complex ideas into manageable sections, using prompts to develop reasoning, and adding complexity only as the learner is ready. "Instead of doing the work for them, study mode encourages students to think critically about their learning. Features like these are a positive step toward effective AI use for learning," said Robbie Torney, senior director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media. If the user has chat memory turned on, responses can draw on prior conversations to offer examples and tips tailored to their style.

Students can upload course materials, from PDFs to images, and have the AI work with those directly. The feature even checks comprehension through open-ended prompts and targeted feedback.

In India and many other countries, quality after-school help can be expensive and uneven in quality. AI tools, as per OpenAI creators, can offer consistent, round-the-clock guidance at a fraction of the cost.