In 2025, the long-standing rivalry between OpenAI and Google has found new frontlines: the classroom. After dominating headlines with advances in large language models, both companies are now vying to control the future of education, offering their most advanced AI-powered tools, platforms, and resources in a bid to capture the hearts and minds of students worldwide.
This summer, OpenAI turbocharged its education ambitions by launching “Study Mode” for ChatGPT. Designed to turn the chatbot into an interactive tutor, this new feature guides students through problem-solving step by step across subjects, echoing the Socratic method. Unlike traditional question-answering bots, Study Mode challenges users to think critically and learn by engaging actively, rather than simply copying answers.
What sets OpenAI’s approach apart is its direct-to-student model. The company offered free access to ChatGPT Plus (including GPT-4o’s multimodal capabilities) to students in the US and Canada throughout the crucial exam season, fueling rapid adoption and feedback among young users.
With the upcoming rollout of ChatGPT Edu (a version tailored for universities), as well as partnerships with educational platforms for premium content and course integration, OpenAI is betting on “AI as tutor” for a new generation of digitally native learners.
Not to be outdone, Google has doubled down on AI-powered education through its Gemini family of models. Google’s strategy is two-pronged: integrating Gemini deeply into its Google for Education suite (covering Docs, Slides, Sheets, Meet, and more) and offering Google AI Premium to students for free until Spring 2026.
With Gemini 2.5 Pro and new video (Veo 2), research (Whisk), and customized learning tools, Google provides institutions, teachers, and students with AI resources embedded in familiar platforms.
Google’s launches in 2025 include “LearnLM”; a suite of education-specific generative models designed to tutor, provide feedback, manage cognitive load, and inspire learning, all while reducing the temptation for students to cheat with AI.
While OpenAI’s marketing focuses on parents and at-home learning, Google’s pitch speaks to teachers, school administrators, and institutional buyers with enterprise reliability, scale, and compliance baked in.
As both tech giants shower the education sector with free and premium AI tools, students worldwide are accessing advanced research, writing assistance, creative multimedia generators, and voice-enabled tutoring often at no cost.
Universities and schools now face the challenge of evolving their assessment methods as conventional assignments risk becoming obsolete in the AI age. Oral exams, project-based learning, and emphasis on creativity and problem-solving are quickly becoming new standards.
The rivalry is not just about serving students; it’s about dominance in the broader digital education market. By locking in users early, OpenAI and Google hope to define the future relationship between AI and learning for years (and generations) to come.