ChatGPT is piloting Group Chats. But what’s the purpose?
According to OpenAI’s release notes:
“We’re piloting group chats so you can bring people—and ChatGPT—into the same conversation. Plan trips, make decisions, and collaborate on projects together while ChatGPT helps search, summarise, generate content, and keep everyone on the same page.”
How Group Chats Work
In one word: collaboration.
OpenAI is currently piloting Group Chats on Web, iOS, and Android in a few countries: New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Early feedback will guide wider rollout. If you don’t see “Group Chats” in your sidebar or the people icon in the top right, it’s likely not available for your account or region yet.
What a Group Chat Looks Like
A Group Chat is just like a normal ChatGPT conversation, but with:
- You
- One or more other people
- ChatGPT as an extra participant
In the chat:
- Everyone can see the full message history once they join
- ChatGPT can answer questions, summarise, brainstorm, generate content, and more based on the shared history
- Group chats appear in a separate “Group Chats” section in the sidebar for easy access
- You can have 1–20 people plus ChatGPT in a group
How to Create or Join a Group Chat
To start a new group chat (where available):
- Open ChatGPT (Web, iOS, or Android)
- Start a new chat
- Click or tap the people icon in the top right
- Choose “Start Group Chat”
- Share the invite link with others
When joining for the first time, you’ll set up a short profile (name, username, and photo) so others can recognise you.
You can also turn an existing 1–1 chat into a group by opening it, clicking the people icon, and selecting “Start Group Chat.” A copy is made as a group while the original chat remains separate.
Key Information
- Availability: Pilot in New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan
- Participants: 1–20 people plus ChatGPT
- View of history: Full history visible to all participants
- Supported devices: Web, iOS, Android
- ChatGPT behavior: Responds when asked, mentioned, or given a clear request; can be set to “automatic” or “mention only”
- Supported features: Search, image creation, image uploads, file uploads, voice/dictation input
- Not yet supported: Canvas, full voice conversations, Python/Data Analysis, Deep Research, Tasks, connectors, apps, Agent mode, account memory, custom instructions
- Data visibility: Group messages, files, images, participant names/photos, and group custom instructions
- Privacy: Private 1–1 chats and account-level custom instructions are not visible to the group
Safety and Usage
- Teen accounts have extra protections; parents can disable group chats
- Only ChatGPT’s replies count toward usage, billed to the person it responds to
- Group conversations aren’t used for model training if any member has “Improve the model for everyone” turned off
Group Chats are designed to make collaboration easier while keeping everyone on the same page.
If you want help to develop your AI roadmap or train your team, then get in touch. Book a call here. You can get a copy of my new book AI Playbook here.
About the Podcast Host
Joanne Sweeney is a specialist in public-sector marketing and digital communications. She’s the author of Public Sector Marketing Pro and the creator of the Professional Diploma in AI for Public Sector Marketing. With years of experience in training, consulting, and advocating for digital transformation, Joanne provides insight and guidance for government agencies navigating the digital landscape. She is also the host of the award-winning Public Sector Marketing Show podcast.
