Gemini’s New ‘Guided Learning’ Tool Takes On ChatGPT’s Study Mode

Google has launched Guided Learning, a new feature in its Gemini AI platform, positioning it as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s recently introduced ChatGPT Study Mode. Announced on August 6, 2025, Guided Learning aims to transform Gemini into a virtual tutor, guiding students through complex topics with interactive, step-by-step explanations rather than providing quick answers. The move, coming just days after ChatGPT’s Study Mode debut on July 29, escalates the AI education arms race, with both tech giants vying to redefine how students learn in an AI-driven world.

How Guided Learning Works

Guided Learning, powered by Google’s LearnLM—a family of models fine-tuned for education—adopts a Socratic approach, encouraging critical thinking through probing questions, tailored explanations, and multimedia content. Unlike traditional chatbots, it breaks down problems step-by-step, integrating high-quality images, diagrams, YouTube videos, and interactive quizzes to enhance understanding. For example, a student querying photosynthesis might receive an animated diagram, a short video, and a quiz to test comprehension, making the experience immersive and structured.

Google’s VP of Learning, Maureen Heymans, emphasized the tool’s focus on process over product: “Whether you’re preparing for an exam on enzymes or drafting a paper on bee populations, Guided Learning is a collaborative thinking partner that helps you get it—each step of the way.” Users can toggle the feature in the Gemini app, and educators can share it via Google Classroom, fostering seamless integration into academic workflows.

ChatGPT’s Study Mode: A Close Rival

OpenAI’s Study Mode, launched a week earlier, similarly aims to move beyond rote answers, using a conversational, Socratic method to guide students through material with prompts, hints, and reflective questions. Developed with input from over 40 institutions, it structures lessons into clear segments, offering quizzes and open-ended responses to assess understanding. Princeton student Maggie Wang praised its incremental approach, saying, “It’s like the reward signal of learning small things.” However, critics note that Study Mode relies on ChatGPT’s general-purpose model, which may include unfiltered or inaccurate data, risking flawed explanations.

In contrast, Gemini’s Guided Learning leverages LearnLM’s education-specific training, developed with educators and cognitive scientists, to deliver more reliable, research-backed content. Its multimedia integration, including the ability to analyze uploaded course files, sets it apart from ChatGPT’s text-heavy approach.

Google’s Broader Education Push

Google is backing Guided Learning with a $1 billion investment over three years to enhance AI literacy and education in the U.S., including free training and Google Career Certificates for colleges. Additionally, students aged 18+ in the U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and Brazil can access a free one-year Gemini Advanced AI Pro subscription until October 6, 2025, including Gemini 2.5 Pro, NotebookLM, Veo 3 for video creation, and 2TB of storage. This aggressive strategy aims to embed Gemini into students’ workflows, fostering long-term loyalty.

Addressing Educator Concerns

Both tools respond to growing concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and enabling cheating. A 2024 study found 40% of students use AI for academic shortcuts, prompting fears of “cognitive offloading.” Guided Learning and Study Mode aim to reframe AI as a learning partner, with Google’s Dave Messer calling it “an AI tutor for every student.” However, challenges remain, as students can bypass these modes for quick answers, and data privacy concerns persist, especially under the EU’s AI Act, effective August 1, 2025.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

The rapid succession of these launches signals a fierce battle for the education market. Microsoft’s Copilot for 365 and Anthropic Claude for Education have also entered the fray, but Google’s ecosystem integration and free offerings give it a competitive edge. On X, sentiment is mixed, with users like @HCSolakoglu nothing Gemini’s limited access compared to OpenAI’s broader rollout, but praising its potential.

As AI tutors gain traction, their ability to democratize education is promising, particularly for underserved regions. Yet, ensuring ethical use and safeguarding against misinformation will be critical. With Google and OpenAI doubling down, the future of learning is poised for a transformative shift, blending technology with pedagogy in unprecedented ways.