Introduction to ChatGPT Group Chats
OpenAI has officially announced the global launch of ChatGPT group chats, a feature that transforms the AI assistant from a solitary tool into a collaborative platform. This update is now available to all users, including those on Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans. The rollout follows a pilot phase in select regions such as Japan and New Zealand, marking a significant step toward integrating artificial intelligence into daily social and professional interactions.
Context and Objectives
The introduction of group chats represents a paradigm shift for OpenAI. The goal is to allow users to interact not only with the AI but also with each other within a shared space. According to the company, this evolution enables families, friends, and colleagues to work synergistically on common projects, from planning trips to drafting documents and settling complex debates. In this setting, ChatGPT acts as an intelligent facilitator, capable of summarizing information, conducting searches, and comparing options in real-time.
"Over time, we see ChatGPT playing a more active role in real group conversations, helping people plan, create, and take action together."
OpenAI
How the New Features Work
To start a collaborative session, users simply need to tap the people icon and add participants, either directly or by sharing a link. The platform requires everyone to set up a short profile with a name, username, and photo to facilitate recognition within the conversation. It is worth noting that adding a new participant to an existing chat creates a separate new conversation, thereby preserving the history of the original chat.
Capabilities and Interaction
ChatGPT group chats support up to 20 active participants. One of the most interesting features is the AI's ability to understand context: the model knows when to jump in autonomously and when to stay quiet. Users can still solicit a response by explicitly tagging "ChatGPT." Additionally, the assistant can react to messages using emojis and reference participants' profile photos, making the interaction more natural and engaging.
Privacy and Security
Despite the shared nature of the conversations, OpenAI has placed a strong emphasis on privacy. Personal settings and the AI's "memory" remain private to each user and are not shared with the group. This approach aims to ensure that the collaborative experience does not compromise individual data or personalized usage preferences.
OpenAI's Social Future
This update comes at a time of rapid expansion for the company. The announcement follows less than two weeks after the launch of GPT-5.1, which introduced Instant and Thinking versions of the model. Furthermore, in September, OpenAI launched Sora, a social app that allows users to generate TikTok-style videos. Group chats are thus just the beginning of a broader strategy to turn ChatGPT into a collaborative environment rather than just a "single-player" experience.
FAQ
Here are the most frequently asked questions about OpenAI's new collaborative features.
- Who can use ChatGPT group chats?
The feature is available globally to all users, including Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans. - How many people can join a group chat?
You can add up to 20 participants in a single shared conversation. - Is my privacy protected in group chats?
Yes, personal settings and individual memory remain private and are not visible to other participants. - How do I get ChatGPT to respond in the chat?
The AI jumps in when relevant, but you can force a response by tagging "ChatGPT" in your message. - Can I add people to an existing chat?
Yes, but doing so will create a new, distinct conversation, leaving the original one unchanged.