Latest news with #MaureenHeymans
Time of India
08-08-2025
- Time of India
Google launches ‘Guided Learning' in Gemini to rival ChatGPT's Study Mode
Google has rolled out a a new feature called Guided Learning within its Gemini AI chatbot . Rival to OpenAI's Study Mode in ChatGPT, the feature is designed to work as an intelligent tutor. Guided Learning aims to help students understand concepts deeply rather than simply providing answers. 'Whether you're preparing for an exam about enzymes or exploring your passion for photography, Guided Learning is a collaborative thinking partner that helps you get it — each step of the way,' said Maureen Heymans, Google's VP of learning and sustainability. Guided Learning encourages participation through probing and open-ended questions that spark a discussion and provide an opportunity to dive deeper into a subject. The aim is to help you build a deep understanding instead of just getting answers. How Guided Learning works by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It's Genius for Learning Languages [See Why] Talkpal AI Undo Unlike traditional chatbot responses, Guided Learning breaks down problems step-by-step, adapting explanations to the user's needs. It uses: Images, diagrams, and YouTube videos for visual reinforcement Interactive quizzes and flashcards to test comprehension Real-world examples and probing questions to encourage critical thinking The feature is powered by LearnLM, a family of models grounded in educational research and developed in collaboration with teachers, students, and cognitive scientists. Competing visions for AI in education OpenAI's Study Mode, launched just a week earlier, uses a Socratic approach—guiding students through material with adaptive dialogue and reflective questions. Google's Guided Learning, by contrast, offers a more structured, visual, and modular experience, resembling an interactive digital textbook . Both companies are responding to concerns that AI chatbots are being misused as shortcuts for homework. Their new tools aim to promote genuine learning and reduce academic dependency on instant answers. Free access and broader push To support adoption, Google is offering students in the US, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and Brazil a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan, which includes access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, NotebookLM, Veo 3, and more. The company has also pledged $1 billion over three years to improve AI-powered education tools. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Hindu
07-08-2025
- The Hindu
Google's Gemini AI gets ‘Guided Learning' mode similar to ChatGPT's ‘Study Mode'
Google on Wednesday (August 6, 2025) announced that it was launching a 'Guided Learning' mode in its AI service Gemini that would help users learn with the chatbot in a more collaborative way. The update comes several days after rival OpenAI introduced a 'Study Mode' in ChatGPT that was aimed at breaking down more educational or academic problems into smaller steps or processes, rather than giving learners an answer right away. Guided Learning follows a similar approach, by posing open-ended questions, encouraging deep dives into a subject, and adapting explanations to user needs. Gemini's Guided Learning further integrates images, diagrams, videos, and interactive quizzes in order to offer a multimedia approach to learning, rather than just generating text. Some responses can even include YouTube videos to enhance learning, per the company. Like OpenAI, Google too stressed that it worked with educators, students, and pedagogical experts for this purpose. Google pointed to the development of LearnLM, a family of models that it said was grounded in educational research. 'We worked with educators to design Guided Learning to be a partner in their teaching, built on the core principle that real learning is an active, constructive process. It encourages students to move beyond answers and develop their own thinking by guiding them with questions that foster critical thought,' said Google VP of Learning, Maureen Heymans, in a blog post. OpenAI and Google are working to bring their AI offerings to schools, universities, and educational institutions through more accessible and affordable channels. However, many educators and researchers have raised concern about students failing to develop their academic research skills, reading comprehension, media literacy, or communication skills when they overly rely on chatbots.
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google takes on ChatGPT's Study Mode with new ‘Guided Learning' tool in Gemini
As the new school year approaches, Google announced on Wednesday that it's launching a new tool called Guided Learning within Gemini. The tool sort of functions like an AI tutor, as it's designed to help users build a deep understanding instead of just getting answers. The launch follows just over a week after OpenAI rolled out Study Mode for ChatGPT, which is also designed to go beyond simply obtaining answers to questions by actually helping users develop critical thinking skills. Both companies' launches come amid concerns that AI chatbots undermine the learning process because they spit out direct answers. The new tools from Google and OpenAI likely aim to address these concerns by positioning their chatbots as learning tools rather than simple answer engines. With Guided Learning, Gemini will break down problems step-by-step and adapt explanations to its users' needs. The feature responds using images, diagrams, videos, and interactive quizzes to help users build and test themselves on their knowledge, rather than simply giving them the answer. Google says the feature will help users uncover the 'why' and 'how' behind concepts. '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, in a blog post. In addition to the new feature, Google announced that it's working to make Gemini as a whole better equipped to help users learn. Gemini will now automatically incorporate images, diagrams, and YouTube videos directly into responses to help users better understand complex topics. Plus, users can now also ask Gemini to create flashcards and study guides based on their quiz results or other class materials. Google also announced on Wednesday that it's offering students in the U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and Brazil a free one-year subscription to Google's AI Pro plan. The plan includes expanded access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, NotebookLM, Veo 3, Deep Research, and more. Sign in to access your portfolio
