OpenAI has officially launched global group chats for ChatGPT, transforming what has traditionally been a one-to-one AI interaction into a collaborative space where real people and AI can now co-exist in the same conversation. The feature is rolling out to users on Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans, marking one of the company’s biggest usability shifts since the introduction of GPT-4.
The update comes just a week after early testing in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan. With positive feedback during the limited rollout, OpenAI has now flipped the switch worldwide, signalling that shared AI experiences may soon become as normal as group chats on WhatsApp or Messenger.
What makes this upgrade interesting isn’t just the ability to add more people, it’s how ChatGPT behaves inside the group. Up to 20 participants can join a conversation, and the AI listens quietly until someone mentions it or asks for help. It can react with emojis, reference profile photos, and keep track of who said what, giving the entire experience a more “social” feeling than before.
Instead of talking to an AI in a private bubble, users can now plan trips together, collaborate on assignments, co-write documents, draft business ideas, brainstorm creative projects, or resolve disagreements all with ChatGPT jumping in like an intelligent team member when needed.
On a practical level, OpenAI says users can launch a group conversation by tapping the people icon in the app or sharing an invite link. Each participant can create a lightweight profile with their name, photo, and username, making it easier for the AI to personalise interactions or refer to people directly within the discussion.
ChatGPT wants to embed itself into real-world group dynamics instead of remaining a solitary assistant. During a conversation with multiple humans, ChatGPT can summarise arguments, suggest next steps, gather resources, generate creative ideas, or simply help settle a debate by providing neutral information.
OpenAI described the feature as a step toward ChatGPT “playing a more active role in real group conversations and helping people plan, create, and take action together.” In other words, this is about AI as a participant, not just a tool.
The timing is important. Just days ago, Quora’s Poe launched its own group chat system, enabling up to 200 people to collaborate with hundreds of AI models inside the same conversation. The global launch of ChatGPT’s version signals that group-based AI interactions may become one of the next big frontiers in consumer AI.
It also hints at a future where AI becomes part of social life, not just productivity. Imagine families using ChatGPT to plan holidays, students running study groups with the AI coaching along the way, or small teams using the chat to gather research, generate visuals, or quickly prototype ideas in real time.
AI tools are no longer limited to private chats. They’re becoming group-aware, socially present, and increasingly woven into human-to-human interaction.
Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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