In a significant move to enhance collaborative AI experiences, OpenAI has officially launched a pilot programme for group chats within its popular ChatGPT platform. This new feature, rolled out from November 13, is currently available in select regions and allows multiple users to join a single conversation with the AI assistant.
What Are ChatGPT Group Chats?
ChatGPT group chats function as shared digital spaces where friends, family, classmates, or colleagues can collaborate on various tasks. The AI acts as a neutral participant, helping with decision-making, generating creative ideas, and organizing complex plans. This pilot represents OpenAI's first step towards building more interactive shared experiences within the ChatGPT ecosystem.
A key privacy aspect is that these group conversations are entirely separate from personal chats. Each user's individual ChatGPT memory remains private and inaccessible to other group members, ensuring personal data is not shared during collaborative sessions.
Practical Applications and Benefits
The group chat feature proves particularly useful for planning activities like weekend trips, where ChatGPT can compare destinations, build detailed itineraries, and create shared packing lists. For hands-on projects such as designing a backyard garden or choosing decor for a new apartment, group chats provide a centralized platform for partners or roommates to exchange ideas.
In professional and academic environments, this feature supports collaboration by helping teams draft project outlines, organize research materials, summarize meeting notes, and streamline information-sharing processes. It also simplifies group decisions, such as picking restaurants or settling small debates, with ChatGPT providing neutral input.
How to Use the New Feature
To start a group chat, users need to tap the people icon in the top-right corner of any chat window. The process allows inviting between one and twenty people via a shareable link. When someone joins or creates their first group chat, they set up a profile with their name, username, and photo for transparency.
These group conversations run on GPT-5.1 Auto, which automatically selects the best model based on the user's subscription tier. Users retain access to familiar features like search within chats, file uploads, image generation, and voice dictation.
ChatGPT has been specifically trained to pick up social cues in group environments, responding only when relevant. Users can tag "ChatGPT" to prompt an answer directly. The AI can also react with emojis and even personalize images using group members' profile photos.
For younger users, ChatGPT automatically restricts sensitive content if any participant is under 18, and parents or guardians have the option to disable group chats entirely through parental controls.
The rollout is available on both mobile and web platforms for logged-in users across Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans. Currently, the feature is accessible only in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan. OpenAI has stated it will evaluate feedback from these early users before expanding the feature to additional regions and subscription plans.
