When Artificial Intelligence Teaches Better than the School System

For years, the criticism of traditional education has been the same: it is designed for the industrial age, not for the digital age. But today, a new tool threatens to not only highlight that gap... but to close it: artificial intelligence.

OpenAI has just launched Study Mode, a feature in ChatGPT that could transform learning as we know it. And no, it is not for cheating or copying homework. On the contrary.

An AI that does not give answers, but teaches you to think

Unlike the old calculators that only solved problems, Study Mode is designed for students to learn the process. That is, it does not hand you the solution directly, but guides you step by step to understand how to get there.

This changes the paradigm of using AI in classrooms:

It is no longer about "copying", but about learning better.

It is not "replacing the teacher", but enhancing their teaching ability.

It is a tool for reinforcement, not replacement.

Implications for Mexico and Latin America

In a region where many schools lack resources, trained staff, or access to updated materials, tools like Study Mode can be a great equalizer.

Imagine students in rural communities accessing a virtual tutor 24/7. Imagine teachers supported by an AI that adapts explanations according to each student's level. That is the real promise of technology.

The debate: Does AI make us dumber?

A common critique is that AI "makes us lazy", that we no longer think because it does everything for us. But Study Mode challenges that bias.

This AI does not think for you. It trains you to think better. It’s like going from copying homework... to having a mental trainer.

Conclusion

AI in education is not a threat. It is an opportunity. But like any powerful tool, its impact will depend on how we use it.

Study Mode does not replace critical thinking: it strengthens it.

And in a region that needs more educational equity, ignoring this possibility is to remain stuck in the past.

The real question is not whether AI will change school.

The question is:

—Are we prepared to teach with it?