OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Features with Group Chats in Asia-Pacific

OpenAI has launched a pilot group chat feature for ChatGPT, currently available in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan. This new capability allows users to collaborate in conversations directly within the app, expanding its functionality significantly. According to TechCrunch, the group chat feature is accessible to Free, Plus, and Team users on both mobile and web platforms, and is designed to explore how people utilize group conversations in ChatGPT. Early adopters have been invited to provide feedback that will help shape future developments of the feature.

Group chats are invitation-only and can accommodate between one to twenty participants. Users can initiate a group chat by tapping the people icon, and ChatGPT will create a new conversation without affecting the existing chat history. Engaging with the group chat is made simple; participants can either add people directly or share a link to the conversation. As reported by Engadget, the group chat can be used for various collaborative tasks, such as vacation planning or project outlines, with ChatGPT acting as a participant to assist in generating ideas or organizing information.

OpenAI has emphasized that private chats and personal ChatGPT memory remain confidential, while content for users under 18 is filtered for safety. In these group chats, participants can mute or remove others, although the group creator can only leave voluntarily. As noted by TechCrunch, ChatGPT has been programmed to understand the dynamics of group conversations, knowing when to contribute or remain silent. Users can tag ChatGPT to elicit a response or use emojis to enhance interaction.

The group chat feature runs on GPT5.1 Auto, which optimizes responses based on the prompts provided. This rollout represents a significant shift for OpenAI, moving from a basic AI assistant to a more interactive platform. The introduction of group chats aligns with OpenAI's broader ambition to enhance communication tools through artificial intelligence, as seen in their recent launch of Sora 2, a social media app focused on AI-generated content.

As the pilot progresses, OpenAI intends to refine the group chat feature based on user feedback before considering a wider launch. This development underscores the growing importance of AI in facilitating collaborative communication among users, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where these features are currently being tested. With the introduction of group chats, OpenAI is setting the stage for more complex interactions within its ChatGPT platform, potentially paving the way for future enhancements in user engagement and collaborative capabilities.