OpenAI is transforming collaboration with the launch of ChatGPT group chats, a new feature enabling teams and study groups to integrate AI directly into their conversations. This pilot program, now live in four countries, positions ChatGPT as an active participant that can search the web, analyze files, and generate images on demand.
The feature evolves ChatGPT from a private assistant into a shared collaborative workspace. Users can start a group, share an invite link, and mention “@ChatGPT” to bring the AI into the conversation. According to OpenAI’s release notes, these group chats are powered by the new GPT-5.1 Auto stack, granting access to core functionalities like web search, DALL·E image generation, and file uploads. Group creators can also set custom instructions to define the AI’s role for specific projects, such as a “marketing mentor” or “coding tutor.”
User Reception and Expansion Plans
ChatGPT group chats allow up to 20 people to collaborate in a single thread with an integrated AI assistant. Mentioning “@ChatGPT” summons the AI to answer questions, analyze data, or generate content for the entire group, creating a shared conversational workspace without needing separate project management tools.
Early feedback from the pilot program highlights the AI’s contextual awareness, with users noting that it contributes only when helpful, reducing conversational clutter. For instance, study groups in Tokyo have utilized it for real-time translation of research papers, while project planners in Auckland generated synchronized to-do lists from uploaded spreadsheets. OpenAI is collecting feedback directly within ChatGPT to refine features like notifications and moderation. While the company confirmed that “more regions will gain access over time,” a specific timeline for a broader rollout has not been announced.
How ChatGPT Compares to Collaboration Tools
This launch places ChatGPT in direct competition with established collaboration tools. While Slack offers AI-powered summaries and Microsoft Teams uses Copilot for meeting notes, neither integrates a fully autonomous, multimodal AI agent into the conversation. Similarly, Notion AI assists with writing within documents, whereas ChatGPT’s group threads can seamlessly combine code, spreadsheets, and AI-generated images in a single, dynamic flow.
Privacy, Safety, and Control
OpenAI has built the feature with privacy controls similar to its Enterprise standards. Chat memory is disabled by default in groups, and conversations are not used for model training. Organizers have granular control, with the ability to reset invite links and remove members. All participants can delete their own messages globally. For groups including younger users, under-18 protections are automatically enabled to ensure age-appropriate responses.
Market Impact and Future Outlook
With an existing user base of approximately 123.5 million daily active users and 3.8 billion visits in January 2025, ChatGPT has a significant built-in audience. A successful pilot could rapidly establish this feature as a mainstream collaborative AI tool. OpenAI plans to publish usage metrics and model updates as the trial progresses, offering clear data on how an AI teammate impacts group productivity and decision-making.
How does ChatGPT group chat work?
A ChatGPT group chat can host up to 20 members who join via a shared link. The AI acts as an integrated participant, reading the conversation and contributing when summoned with @ChatGPT. This creates a shared context for brainstorming, data analysis, and problem-solving.
Where is the feature available today?
The pilot program is currently available on web and mobile in four countries: Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan. OpenAI has confirmed plans for future expansion but has not yet provided a timeline or list of the next regions to receive access.
What model powers the answers inside a group chat?
Group conversations are powered by GPT-5.1 Auto, an advanced engine that automatically selects the best model for each task. This gives all members access to the latest tools for web search, image generation with DALL·E, and file analysis within the shared chat.
Is my private data still safe when I chat in a group?
Yes. OpenAI prioritizes data safety by disabling personal chat memory within groups and ensuring conversations are not used for model training. Group creators can revoke invite links and remove members, while any user can delete their own messages for the entire group.
How does this compare with rival collaboration tools?
Unlike competitors like Slack and Microsoft Teams, where AI often works in the background, ChatGPT functions as a visible, conversational partner. It can reference past messages, use emojis, and even personalize generated images, offering a more interactive and integrated collaborative experience.
