ChatGPT Gets Its First Group Chat Feature

In its latest move to make AI interactions more collaborative, OpenAI has unveiled group chat capabilities for ChatGPT—and they're testing it where you might least expect.

Breaking New Ground in AI Conversations

The experimental feature, currently rolling out in South Korea and New Zealand, marks ChatGPT's first foray into multi-user environments. Imagine friends debating travel plans or coworkers refining a presentation—all with an AI participant that knows when to chime in and when to listen.

How It Works Behind the Scenes

Running on the newly released GPT-5.1 model, this isn't just multiple people talking to one bot. The system counts only ChatGPT's responses against usage limits, preventing groups from hitting caps too quickly during lively discussions.

The AI demonstrates surprising social awareness:

• Context-sensitive participation: It gauges when input would be valuable versus disruptive
• On-demand activation: Simply mention "ChatGPT" to summon immediate assistance
• Playful interactions: Respond with emojis or generate images featuring group members' avatars

"We're reimagining how humans and AI can create together," an OpenAI spokesperson told us. "Shared conversation spaces open up possibilities we're just beginning to explore."

Why These Markets First?

The choice of South Korea and New Zealand as test beds reflects strategic thinking:

• Tech-savvy populations quick to adopt new digital tools
• Diverse use cases from urban professionals to remote collaborators
• Manageable scale for gathering focused feedback before global expansion

Early users report the system handles everything from:

• Planning weekend getaways with friends
• Workshopping marketing slogans
• Even settling friendly debates (though it sometimes plays diplomat too well)

What Comes Next?

The rollout follows OpenAI's pattern of measured testing—gather real-world data, refine based on actual usage, then expand carefully. No timeline yet for broader availability, but successful pilots could accelerate plans.

The company emphasizes this isn't just about scaling existing functionality: "Group dynamics change everything about human-AI interaction," their announcement notes. "We're learning how artificial intelligence functions as part of a team."

Key Points:

• First multi-user ChatGPT experience launches in select markets
• GPT-5.1 powered with smarter rate limiting for groups
• Natural integration mimics human conversational rhythms
• Creative features like avatar-based image generation add fun elements
• Global expansion plans depend on initial user feedback