ChatGPT Could Become Social: OpenAI Trials Group Chats and Direct Messages in Latest Update

Following the release of its Sora 2 video generation model and the launch of a TikTok-like AI video app under the same name last month, OpenAI is now aiming to expand ChatGPT’s functionality into what it envisions as an “everything app.” This transformation seeks to move ChatGPT beyond a traditional chatbot by incorporating social, collaborative, and multimedia features that can cater to a wide range of personal, professional, and recreational use cases. By introducing tools such as group chats, direct messaging, and shared projects, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as a versatile platform capable of integrating communication, content creation, and collaboration within a single interface.

One of the most notable upcoming features is the ability for ChatGPT users to create group chats and direct messages via invite links. This functionality was first previewed on X (formerly Twitter) by Tibor Blaho, Lead Engineer at AIPRM, who showcased the early version of group chats in the ChatGPT web app. Users will now find a “Start a group chat” button in the top navigation bar, which allows them to generate a unique link and share it with others. Anyone with this link can join the group chat and access the conversation history, ensuring that all participants are up to date with prior messages. This design makes it easy for individuals to initiate conversations with colleagues, friends, or communities without needing to rely on third-party messaging platforms.

Importantly, group chats come with a set of custom instructions that are independent of the user’s personal ChatGPT settings. This allows group chats to operate with rules or preferences tailored specifically to that conversation. Users can choose whether ChatGPT responds automatically to messages or only when explicitly mentioned, providing a flexible balance between automated assistance and user control. However, the personal ChatGPT memory is never accessed in group chats, ensuring that individual user data remains private and separate from collaborative discussions.

The group chat interface is designed to be interactive and feature-rich. Participants can add reactions to messages, reply directly to specific messages, and see indicators when someone is typing. Additional functionalities include file uploads, image generation, and integrated web search, making the chats a multi-purpose environment for both casual and professional communication. By combining these features, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as a social and collaborative platform that can accommodate both lighthearted group interactions and more structured discussions.

Beyond group chats, OpenAI has also introduced a ‘shared projects’ mode to further enhance collaborative workflows. This feature enables team members to upload documents and other contextual information into a shared space, which ChatGPT can reference in generating relevant responses over time. By remembering context within these projects, ChatGPT can assist teams more effectively, providing continuity across multiple sessions and maintaining the relevance of its suggestions or answers. The shared projects feature is particularly useful for discussions that involve ongoing updates or sensitive information, as all data is securely stored.

The shared projects mode also mirrors familiar document collaboration tools. A project creator can invite colleagues to participate, offering different levels of engagement such as “chat” or “edit” mode. In “chat” mode, participants can converse with ChatGPT and each other while leveraging uploaded context, whereas in “edit” mode, team members can contribute directly to the project’s documents. This flexibility allows ChatGPT to serve as both a collaborative assistant and a knowledge repository, bridging the gap between traditional document sharing and AI-powered interaction.

In essence, OpenAI’s new features for ChatGPT signal a major evolution in how AI can support social and professional interactions. By integrating group chats, direct messaging, and shared projects, ChatGPT is no longer just a question-answering tool; it is becoming a platform for collaboration, communication, and content creation. These updates not only expand its functionality but also underscore OpenAI’s vision of a single, multifunctional app capable of addressing diverse user needs—from casual social engagement to professional teamwork and knowledge management. As these features roll out, ChatGPT could fundamentally shift how individuals and teams interact with AI, blending personal assistance, social connectivity, and collaborative workflows into one unified experience.