OpenAI has introduced a new group chat feature in ChatGPT as part of a pilot programme that began on 13 November in selected regions. The feature allows users to create shared chat spaces where friends, family members, classmates, or colleagues can collaborate while ChatGPT assists with ideas, decisions, and planning. OpenAI said these group chats remain separate from individual conversations to ensure that each user’s personal ChatGPT memory stays private.
The feature is available on mobile and web for logged in users across Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans. For now, the rollout is limited to Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Group chats can support planning activities such as weekend trips by helping compare destinations, build itineraries, and create packing lists. They also allow partners or roommates to work together on projects like home decor or garden design. The feature can simplify group choices such as selecting a restaurant or resolving small debates in a neutral way. For academic and professional use, group chats can help draft outlines, organise research, summarise information, and improve collaboration.
To start a group chat, users can tap the people icon in the top right corner of any chat window. Adding someone to an existing chat creates a duplicate so that the original remains unchanged. Users can invite between one and twenty participants through a shareable link. When joining a group chat for the first time, users create a profile with their name, username, and photo. Group chats appear in a dedicated section in the sidebar.
These chats work like regular ChatGPT conversations but allow multiple participants to contribute. They run on GPT 5.1 Auto, which selects the best model based on the user’s subscription plan. Users can search within chats, upload files, generate images, and use voice dictation. Rate limits apply only to ChatGPT’s replies and count toward individual user limits.
ChatGPT has been trained to recognise social cues in group settings and responds only when necessary. Users can tag “ChatGPT” to request an answer. The AI can also react with emojis and generate personalised images using profile photos. Users can manage settings such as chat names, participant lists, notification preferences, and custom instructions for ChatGPT.
OpenAI said group chats are fully separate from personal chats. Personal memory is not used or created in these spaces. Users must accept invitations to join and can leave at any time. The group creator is the only participant who cannot remove themselves. If any participant is under 18, ChatGPT automatically restricts sensitive content, and parents or guardians can disable group chats through parental controls.
OpenAI stated that this pilot is an early step towards more interactive shared experiences. The company will review user feedback before expanding access to more regions and subscription tiers.
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