Too much ChatGPT? OpenAI will now remind users to take a break during long chats

OpenAI has unveiled a new feature for ChatGPT aimed at promoting healthier user interactions: gentle reminders to take a break during extended conversations. This initiative reflects the company's commitment to encouraging positive habits while engaging with its popular chatbot. In a recent blog post, OpenAI explained that their focus is not merely on the time users spend on the platform but on ensuring that they achieve their intended goals. A sample reminder shared by the company reads, "Just checking in. You've been chatting for a while; is this a good time for a break?" Users will be presented with two choices: to continue the conversation or to take a break by clicking on 'This was helpful.' OpenAI plans to refine the timing and presentation of these reminders to ensure they feel natural and beneficial. In addition to the break reminders, OpenAI is set to introduce a new feature for navigating significant personal decisions. This will involve ChatGPT assisting users in evaluating their choices by posing questions and outlining pros and cons, rather than providing straightforward answers. These updates follow a report from The New York Times in June, which highlighted concerns about the chatbot's tendency to overly agree with users and provide misleading information. OpenAI confirmed back in April that a previous update had made the AI overly agreeable, resulting in the potential for users to form inaccurate beliefs. While the company has since corrected that update, this latest effort appears to be a step toward fostering healthier user interactions. Meanwhile, OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has been hinting at the upcoming release of the GPT-5 language model. Expected soon, this new model will be notable for lacking a model picker, allowing the AI to autonomously determine whether to engage in reasoning or standard conversation.