Google debuts ‘Guided Learning’ in Gemini to rival ChatGPT’s Study Mode
As students around the world prepare for the upcoming school year, Google is stepping up to reshape how AI supports education. On Wednesday, the tech giant announced the rollout of a new feature called Guided Learning within its Gemini platform—a move that positions AI not as a shortcut to answers but as a powerful learning companion.
From Answer Engine to Thinking Partner
Guided Learning is designed to function like an AI tutor, helping users understand concepts rather than just memorize them. The tool breaks down problems step-by-step, offers tailored explanations, and uses multimedia—including diagrams, videos, and interactive quizzes—to reinforce understanding. In essence, Google wants Gemini to serve as a collaborative partner in thinking and learning.
“Whether you’re preparing for an exam about enzymes, starting the first draft of a paper on the importance of bee populations in supporting our food systems, or exploring your passion for photography, Guided Learning is a collaborative thinking partner that helps you get it — each step of the way,” wrote Maureen Heymans, Google’s VP of Learning and Sustainability.
This launch comes just over a week after OpenAI introduced a similar educational tool—Study Mode for ChatGPT—which is also geared toward helping users develop deeper reasoning and critical thinking skills. These developments highlight a shift in how major AI companies are responding to educators' concerns that AI can undermine real learning by encouraging shortcutting through direct answers.
A More Immersive Learning Experience
Beyond Guided Learning, Google is enhancing the broader Gemini experience to make it more effective as a study aid. Gemini will now automatically integrate images, diagrams, and YouTube videos into responses when dealing with complex topics, creating a richer, more intuitive learning experience. Users can also prompt Gemini to generate flashcards and study guides based on quiz results or other class materials—features that bridge AI with more traditional study methods.
These improvements aim to make AI a more holistic tool for academic growth, helping students not only find the right answers but also grasp the "why" and "how" behind them.
Free AI Pro Plan for Students in Select Countries
To support broader access to these tools, Google also announced a major giveaway: a free one-year subscription to the AI Pro plan for students in the U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and Brazil. This plan includes advanced access to powerful tools such as Gemini 2.5 Pro, NotebookLM, Veo 3, Deep Research, and more—offering students a cutting-edge AI toolkit for learning, creativity, and productivity.
A Broader Educational Shift
Google’s and OpenAI’s moves mark a new phase in AI’s role in education—shifting away from being seen as a source of easy answers, and toward being framed as a mentor-like resource that enhances learning. As the line between human guidance and machine support continues to blur, tools like Guided Learning could help ensure that AI strengthens—not replaces—the educational process.
