OpenAI has rolled out its long-awaited group chat feature worldwide, letting up to 20 users brainstorm, plan or debate in a single conversation, with an AI referee keeping the chaos under control. Just a week ago, this feature was available only in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan. But the company has now confirmed a global launch, making it the first shared ChatGPS experience for general users. Whether it’s planning a trip with friends, collaborating on a work project, or having highly philosophical family conversations, everyone can now join in on the fun.

What is ChatGPT Group Chat and how does it work?

OpenAI describes the update as a new way to collaborate within ChatGPT’s familiar interface, “With group chat, you can bring friends, family or colleagues into a shared space to plan, make decisions or work through ideas together,” the company explained.

Starting a group is easy. There is now a people icon in the top corner of the app; Tap it, and ChatGPT will generate a shareable link. Anyone with a ChatGPT account, whether free or paid, can use that link to join. Once inside, participants can send messages, share ideas, and yes, tag ChatGPT for help when the discussion needs a smart nudge.

Each group can host up to 20 members, and here’s the twist: New members can see the entire chat history, unlike WhatsApp, where latecomers forget the context. Everyone (except the admin) has the power to remove members, and you can even change your group’s name or add a description to help ChatGPT respond to your team’s needs.

Interestingly, AI behaves differently inside group chats. Instead of replying to every single message, it listens first, then immediately activates when it feels the need to, or when someone directly tags it. Think of him as the world’s most polite team member, always watching, never intervening.

Behind the scenes, the new feature is powered by GPT-5.1 Auto, which intelligently selects the best available model for each participant. This means that your friend with a ChatGPT Pro subscription may see slightly better replies than someone with the free plan, even in the same conversation. Same chat, different horsepower.

Privacy and Security Controls

Naturally, bringing AI into group dynamics raises questions about privacy, and OpenAI knows this. The company says private storage won’t apply to group chats, meaning the bot won’t retain what’s been shared. Anyone can leave the group at any time, and only the creator is immune from being kicked out of the group.

If a minor joins, ChatGPT automatically activates the sensitive-content filter for everyone in the group. Parents can also choose to disable the feature entirely for younger users.

All the main ChatGPT tools, web search, image upload, file sharing, dictation and image creation, also work within group chats. So your friends can brainstorm road trips, nail down a budget, design an itinerary, and even create matching T-shirts without having to change apps.

With a global rollout, ChatGPT group chats could easily become the Internet’s newest digital hangout, part brainstorming room, part study circle, part virtual coffee break. In other words, it’s the world’s smartest group project waiting to happen, and this time, everyone can get in on it.