By Alimat Aliyeva
OpenAI has officially rolled out the ChatGPT group chat feature
globally for all users, including those on the free plan as well as
Go, Plus, and Pro subscriptions. The launch follows a week of pilot
testing in selected regions, including Japan and New Zealand,
Azernews reports.
According to a report from TechCrunch, the new feature allows
multiple users to have shared conversations with ChatGPT in a
single chat thread.
OpenAI representatives note that this update transforms ChatGPT
from a personal assistant into a collaborative tool where friends,
colleagues, or family members can plan activities, create content,
and make decisions together. At the same time, the AI can assist by
searching for information, summarizing data, and comparing
different options to help groups reach informed decisions.
Up to 20 participants can join a single group chat after
accepting an invitation. Each participant’s personal settings and
memory remain private. To start a group chat, users simply click on
the people icon and add participants directly or via a link. All
invited members must complete a short profile with their name,
username, and avatar. When a new participant joins an existing
chat, a separate copy of the conversation is created, leaving the
original thread unchanged.
ChatGPT is designed to recognize when it should contribute to
the conversation and when it is better to stay silent. Users can
also tag the AI using the ChatGPT mention to prompt a response. In
addition, the AI can react with emojis and even reference
participants’ avatars, adding a playful and interactive dimension
to group discussions.
The introduction of group chats comes less than two weeks after
the release of the GPT-5.1 model, which includes Instant and
Thinking modes, offering faster responses and enhanced reasoning
capabilities.
Interestingly, this new feature could transform how people
collaborate online. Beyond casual chats, it opens opportunities for
team brainstorming, study groups, family planning, and even
creative projects. Experts suggest that by blending social
interaction with AI assistance, group chats may redefine
collaborative work and make ChatGPT an integral part of everyday
teamwork.