Ever wish your group chats came with a built-in referee who could settle debates, dig up facts, and help organize plans? OpenAI is piloting ChatGPT group chats in select countries, letting up to 20 people collaborate with AI in a single shared conversation. This feature could change how teams, friends, and families use AI by turning ChatGPT from a solo tool into a collaborative platform.
The feature is currently available for Free, Go, Plus, and Pro users, but only in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan. OpenAI is using this pilot to collect feedback and refine the experience before rolling it out globally. This comes on the heels of other recent ChatGPT features like the Atlas browser.
How It Works
Starting a group is simple. Users tap the people icon in any chat and invite others via a shareable link. New members set up profiles with a name, username, and photo for clear identification. The AI uses GPT-5.1 Auto, which tailors responses to each participant’s ChatGPT plan.
ChatGPT decides when to chime in based on conversation context, but users can explicitly prompt it by mentioning “ChatGPT.” The UI includes familiar messaging features like search, file uploads, image generation, and voice dictation. Users can react with emojis, rename groups, mute notifications, and set custom instructions that adjust ChatGPT’s tone per group.
OpenAI emphasizes privacy with several safeguards. Personal ChatGPT memory isn’t shared in groups, keeping private conversations separate. If minors are present, automatic sensitive content filters activate for all members. Groups appear in a dedicated sidebar section separate from private chats.
The feature aims to facilitate collaboration by integrating AI into group planning, decision-making, and brainstorming. Common use cases include work teams coordinating projects, friends planning trips, and families organizing events. Unlike typical messaging apps, ChatGPT group chats position the AI as a virtual mediator in group dynamics.
If successful, this pilot could change how groups use AI in daily tasks by making teamwork smarter and more efficient through seamless AI integration.
