OpenAI is giving ChatGPT users a new way to collaborate, discuss and explore ideas together. After quietly testing the feature in a handful of regions over the past week, the company has now pushed Group Chats to users worldwide. And this isn't just another chatroom—OpenAI wants it to be a space where people and AI can think, plan, and problem-solve side by side.

A Feature Built Around Shared Ideas, Not Just Messages

Group Chats are designed to feel familiar, but with an AI-powered twist. Instead of speaking to ChatGPT alone, you can now open a conversation that includes friends, teammates, or anyone you invite. Everyone can chat in real time, and ChatGPT joins in when needed.

Creating one is simple: tap the small people-icon at the top right of any conversation—new or existing. ChatGPT automatically duplicates the thread and spins it into a new group environment. From there, you can invite others through a link and start talking immediately.

Up to 20 people can join a single group, making it suitable for brainstorming sessions, planning events, troubleshooting complex topics, or even casual hangouts with a shared AI assistant present.

A Small Profile, Then Straight Into the Conversation

When someone enters their first group chat, ChatGPT asks them to set up a short profile—just enough for others to identify who's who. After that, the group works exactly as you'd expect: messages flow, ideas bounce around, and ChatGPT steps in only when necessary.

The bot doesn't interrupt randomly, either. OpenAI says it has trained ChatGPT to understand the "rhythm" of group conversation. It waits its turn, contributes when spoken to, and stays quiet when humans are simply talking among themselves. Of course, you can always tag ChatGPT directly to bring it into the discussion.

Powered by GPT-5.1 Auto: The Best Model Available for Each User

Behind the scenes, group replies run on GPT-5.1 Auto, a system that chooses the strongest available model depending on the prompt and your subscription tier:

This ensures every user gets the optimal response without needing to select a model manually.

And yes—ChatGPT can react to messages with emojis and even reference profile photos when replying. It's a small touch that makes group discussions feel more natural and less robotic.

What Group Chats Don't Do: No Personal Memory Access

To protect privacy and avoid confusion, OpenAI has placed firm boundaries around the new feature. ChatGPT:

Each group chat is treated as its own contained space. You can also control how ChatGPT responds—whether it should behave more actively or take a more passive role.

And if a group becomes too noisy? As with any chat app, you're free to leave at any time. The group creator can also remove participants, while they themselves remain the sole non-removable member.

Still a New Feature, With Improvements on the Way

Group Chats may be global now, but OpenAI acknowledges that it's early days. The company expects the experience to evolve significantly based on how people begin using it. More refinement, more capabilities, and possibly more intelligent group behavior are all on the horizon.

For now, the rollout marks an exciting step forward: ChatGPT isn't just a one-on-one assistant anymore—it's becoming part of how groups collaborate.