OpenAI has introduced its highly anticipated group chat feature globally, enabling a maximum of 20 users to engage in a single conversation for brainstorming, planning, or debating purposes. Initially available only in select countries like Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan, the feature has now been expanded worldwide, marking the first shared ChatGPT experience for regular users. This development allows individuals to participate in various activities such as organizing trips with friends, collaborating on work projects, or engaging in philosophical discussions with family members.
Describing the update as a novel way to collaborate within ChatGPT’s familiar interface, OpenAI has emphasized the versatility of the group chat feature. Users can now create shared spaces to involve friends, family, or colleagues in planning, decision-making, or idea exploration. Initiating a group is straightforward – by clicking on the people icon located in the app’s top corner, ChatGPT generates a link that can be shared with anyone possessing a ChatGPT account, regardless of their subscription status. Once inside the group, participants can exchange messages, share thoughts, and seek assistance from ChatGPT when necessary.
Each group can accommodate up to 20 members, with the unique feature that new entrants have access to the entire chat history. Unlike platforms like WhatsApp where latecomers miss out on previous discussions, ChatGPT ensures continuity for all participants. Additionally, members (excluding the admin) have the authority to remove others from the group, customize group names, and provide details to enhance ChatGPT’s responses tailored to the team’s requirements.
In group chats, the AI functions differently by observing conversations and intervening only when prompted directly or when it detects the need to contribute. Powered by GPT-5.1 Auto, the feature selects the most suitable model for each participant, offering varied responses based on the subscription plan – richer answers for ChatGPT Pro users and standard responses for free plan users within the same conversation.
Concerns about privacy and safety in group interactions involving AI are addressed by OpenAI, affirming that private memory does not apply to group chats, ensuring that shared information is not retained by the bot. Users can exit groups at any time, except for the group creator who cannot be removed. In cases involving minors, sensitive-content filters are automatically activated for everyone in the group, with parents having the option to disable this feature for younger participants.
All essential ChatGPT tools, including web search, image uploads, file sharing, dictation, and image generation, are functional within group chats, enabling seamless collaboration on various tasks without switching between applications. With the global rollout of ChatGPT group chats, it is poised to become a popular digital hangout, offering a versatile platform for brainstorming, study groups, or virtual social interactions. It represents a smart and accessible collaborative tool for diverse online engagements.