ChatGPT launches group chats globally

OpenAI has announced the worldwide rollout of group chat functionality for ChatGPT, accessible to users on Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans. This development follows a successful trial of the feature in select regions, including Japan and New Zealand, just a week prior. This new feature transforms ChatGPT from a solitary assistant into a collaborative space where users can interact with each other and the AI in a shared dialogue. OpenAI envisions this functionality as a platform for users to coordinate trips, co-write documents, resolve disputes, and collaborate on research, all while leveraging ChatGPT’s capabilities to search, summarize, and evaluate options. Group chats can accommodate up to 20 participants, provided they accept an invitation. According to OpenAI, personal settings and memory remain confidential for each individual user. To initiate a group chat, participants simply tap the people icon to add others, either directly or via a shareable link. Each participant is required to set up a brief profile including their name, username, and photo. Notably, adding someone to an ongoing chat will create a new conversation, leaving the original intact. OpenAI has designed ChatGPT to know when to contribute and when to step back in group discussions. Users can prompt the AI by tagging “ChatGPT” to elicit a response. Additionally, ChatGPT can engage with messages using emojis and reference user profile photos. This update represents a significant step towards evolving ChatGPT from a basic chatbot into a more interactive social platform. OpenAI anticipates that group chats are merely the first phase in developing ChatGPT into a collaborative environment, moving beyond a single-user experience. In a communication with TechCrunch, they stated, "Over time, we see ChatGPT playing a more active role in real group conversations, helping people plan, create, and take action together." The announcement arrives shortly after the launch of GPT-5.1, which includes both Instant and Thinking versions of the model. Furthermore, in September, OpenAI introduced a social app named Sora, allowing users to generate videos of themselves and friends for sharing on a TikTok-like algorithmic feed.