Google is enhancing its Gemini AI platform with a "Guided Learning" feature, directly mirroring the "Study Mode" found in OpenAI's ChatGPT. This move signifies the increasing competition in the AI-powered education sector, with both tech giants vying to provide more engaging and effective learning experiences.

The core principle behind Gemini's Guided Learning is to promote active learning. Rather than simply providing answers, the AI is designed to break down problems into step-by-step instructions, ask probing questions, and offer interactive examples. This approach encourages users to develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Google emphasizes that Guided Learning is designed to be a "conversational, judgment-free space" where users can feel comfortable asking questions and exploring topics at their own pace.

Guided Learning is powered by LearnLM, a family of Google AI models specifically fine-tuned for learning and grounded in educational research. This ensures that the information provided is accurate and pedagogically sound. The feature also incorporates multimodal responses, including images, diagrams, videos, and interactive quizzes, catering to different learning styles. Gemini can even generate flashcards and study guides based on quiz results or class assignments.

To access Guided Learning, users can toggle it on within the Gemini app's prompt box. Once activated, Gemini will engage in a more conversational manner, testing the user's knowledge, explaining concepts, and generating visual aids to facilitate understanding.

Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan for college students in the U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and Brazil. This subscription unlocks access to Gemini across Google Workspace apps, increases the file upload limit for NotebookLM and Gemini 2.5 Pro, and includes 2TB of storage. The Google AI Pro plan upgrade also comes with 2 TB of storage for notes, projects, and papers on Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail. This initiative aims to make AI-powered learning tools more accessible to students.

ChatGPT's Study Mode, launched earlier, shares a similar goal of encouraging responsible academic use of AI. It avoids simply providing complete answers and instead walks users through complex subjects in a step-by-step format, akin to an unfolding academic lesson. Study Mode can be accessed via the chatbot's tools button and is designed to guide users toward an answer rather than immediately providing it.

The rise of these AI-powered learning tools reflects a broader trend of integrating AI into education. AI is transforming the education landscape by enabling personalized learning experiences, creating engaging content, and providing instant feedback. Educators are increasingly recognizing the potential of AI to enhance teaching and learning, with many adopting AI tools to save time and improve student engagement.

However, challenges remain, including ensuring data privacy and security, addressing potential biases in AI models, and promoting responsible use of these tools. Both Google and OpenAI emphasize the importance of working with educators and researchers to develop AI tools that are effective, ethical, and aligned with pedagogical best practices.

Google’s introduction of Guided Learning in Gemini signals a significant step towards making AI a more integral part of the learning process. By focusing on understanding and critical thinking, rather than just providing quick answers, Google and OpenAI are shaping the future of AI-powered education.