OpenAI's first report on teen ChatGPT use says teens spend under 15 minutes per day on average on the chatbot, with less than 2% using it for 3+ hours straight

College applications now have an AI assistant to organize your deadlines and requirements.

OpenAI announced new features for ChatGPT for Teens, including a "College Planner" to assist with college applications and study aids like flashcard generation from notes and multi-photo PDF uploads for iOS users. The College Planner will consolidate application requirements, deadlines, and financial aid information into a single plan for students. This comes shortly after a report from Common Sense Media raised concerns about ChatGPT for Teens, citing risks like the AI doing homework and inadequate parental alerts. OpenAI stated that, on average, teens spend less than 15 minutes daily on ChatGPT, with a small percentage exceeding three hours of continuous use.

OpenAI's new College Planner feature signals a strategic shift towards integrating ChatGPT into critical, high-stakes academic processes for teenagers. By offering tools to manage college applications, OpenAI aims to embed its AI deeper into the educational journey, potentially influencing how students approach and execute their post-secondary planning. This move, despite ongoing concerns from watchdog groups, suggests OpenAI's commitment to leveraging its technology for practical, problem-solving applications within the education sector.

The introduction of these features, particularly the College Planner, could redefine the landscape of college admissions support, offering a free, accessible alternative to traditional guidance counseling or paid services. However, it also intensifies the debate around AI's role in education, raising questions about academic integrity and the potential for over-reliance on AI tools. As OpenAI expands its teen-focused offerings, the focus will likely remain on balancing AI assistance with educational best practices and parental oversight.