“ChatGPT Now Supports Multi-Person Conversations”… OpenAI Pilots ‘Group Chat’ in Korea

OpenAI has expanded ChatGPT into a shared conversational space with a new feature that debuts first in Korea. The company launched its “Group Chat” function on the 14th as a pilot in select countries including Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan, enabling multiple users to chat, collaborate, and organize discussions together within a single ChatGPT conversation. 

Friends, family, and colleagues in one chat… “ChatGPT reads the flow and joins naturally”

With Group Chat, users can invite up to 20 people—friends, family members, or colleagues—into one chatroom and receive real-time assistance from ChatGPT.

The range of use cases expands significantly beyond traditional one-on-one interactions: planning a weekend trip, brainstorming project ideas, comparing restaurant options, or even mediating debates.

The feature also brings some fun new twists. ChatGPT can observe quietly, step in only when needed based on the flow of conversation, or be called in directly by saying “ChatGPT.” The assistant can react to user messages with emojis and even generate custom images using participants’ profile photos. In a way, social features have now been folded into ChatGPT. 

Powered by “GPT-5.1 Auto”… No message limit for users

Group Chat is powered by the newly released “GPT-5.1 Auto,” which automatically switches between conversation and reasoning modes to keep collaboration natural and seamless.

Usage limits apply only to ChatGPT-generated responses, not to user-to-user messages within the chat.

Each group chat can also have its own custom instructions for ChatGPT, allowing teams, study groups, and clubs to tailor the assistant to their specific purposes.

Personal memory not shared… Safety measures for minors included

OpenAI emphasized that although the feature is designed for collaboration, personal information remains protected. The “Memory” feature used in one-on-one ChatGPT interactions is completely separated from Group Chat and is never shared with other participants.

If a user under 18 enters a group chat, ChatGPT automatically reduces exposure to sensitive content. Parents or guardians can disable the Group Chat feature entirely if needed.

“A new phase for ChatGPT”… Korea among the first pilot regions

Kyung-Hoon Kim, Country Manager of OpenAI Korea, stated, “Group Chat is the first step toward making ChatGPT a shared space where people communicate and collaborate,” adding that the feature will be refined based on feedback from early pilot countries including Korea.

The fact that Korea is among the first regions to test the feature carries significance. It signals a strategic shift toward expanding generative AI into collaborative and communication-focused experiences.

Industry observers note that ChatGPT is evolving beyond a personal assistant into an “AI participant” that can elevate the creativity and productivity of entire teams.

By Jubaek Shinㅣjbshin@kmjournal.net)