In a significant move that transforms its AI chatbot from a solitary assistant into a collaborative partner, OpenAI has introduced a group chat functionality for ChatGPT. This new feature allows multiple users to interact with each other and the AI within a single, shared conversation. Initially, the feature is being rolled out as a pilot program in four specific markets: Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] The launch represents a crucial step in evolving ChatGPT into a more interactive and socially aware tool, capable of participating in real-time group workflows and decision-making processes. While not yet a global release, this limited pilot is designed to gather user feedback that will shape a wider rollout in the future, signaling a major shift in how AI can be integrated into collaborative environments.[3][13][14][11]

The core of the new feature is its ability to seamlessly integrate ChatGPT into a conversation with up to 20 participants.[1][2][15][5][7][8][16][11] Users can initiate a group chat by tapping a new "people" icon, which then generates a shareable link for others to join.[1][2][13][6][8][17] To ensure clarity within the conversation, new participants are prompted to create a brief profile with a name, username, and photo.[1][2][8][16] Group chats are kept separate from individual users' private conversations and are accessible in a dedicated section of the sidebar.[2][7][8] Importantly, OpenAI has stated that a user's personal ChatGPT memory is not shared within the group, and the AI does not create new memories from these collaborative discussions, addressing potential privacy concerns.[2][13][4][15][7] The feature is available across mobile and web platforms to both free and paid subscribers in the pilot regions, including Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans.[2][3][4][7][11]

Powering the group chat responses is GPT-5.1 Auto, a system that automatically selects the most appropriate model for the task at hand based on the user's plan.[1][2][3][15][11][12] This allows the full suite of ChatGPT's capabilities, such as web browsing, file uploads, data analysis, and image generation, to be utilized within the collaborative space.[2][15][16][14] A key aspect of the AI's behavior in this new setting is its trained understanding of group dynamics.[2] ChatGPT is designed to follow the flow of conversation and interject only when its input is contextually relevant, rather than responding to every single message.[1][16][10] Users can also explicitly summon the AI by mentioning "@ChatGPT," a convention familiar from popular workplace collaboration tools.[1][15][10] Furthermore, rate limits only apply to the AI's responses, allowing for unrestricted conversation between human participants.[2][16][12]

The introduction of group chats significantly expands the potential applications for ChatGPT, moving it beyond individual brainstorming and task completion into the realm of collective project management, planning, and social interaction.[9] OpenAI suggests a variety of use cases, from friends planning a trip together by having the AI compare destinations and build an itinerary, to coworkers collaborating on a report by sharing notes and having ChatGPT summarize the key points.[1][3][13][17] This positions the feature as a direct competitor to established collaboration platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, offering a unique value proposition by embedding a powerful AI assistant directly within the conversational workflow.[18] The ability to have an AI referee a friendly debate, help a study group with research, or assist a family in designing a garden showcases the breadth of its intended utility.[17][9][14]

This strategic pilot launch marks a pivotal moment for the AI industry. By transforming ChatGPT into a shared conversational space, OpenAI is setting a new standard for real-time group interaction with an AI assistant.[3] The move pressures competitors like Google and Microsoft, who have been integrating AI into their productivity suites but have not yet released a dedicated multi-user AI chat environment on this scale.[3] The feedback gathered from users in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan will be crucial in refining the feature's social behaviors, control settings, and overall user experience before a potential global expansion.[13][6][7] The success of this pilot could accelerate the trend of embedding AI more deeply into spaces traditionally reserved for human interaction, fundamentally changing how teams coordinate, friends plan, and groups brainstorm ideas with an AI as an active collaborative partner.[2]