In a surprise move, OpenAI has officially released a new update for its flagship AI chatbot ChatGPT 5.1. The latest version promises to be smarter, more conversational, and highly customizable, marking a key step in OpenAI’s mission to make AI interactions feel more natural and human-like.
ChatGPT 5.1 Update: What’s New?
According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, this update is “a nice upgrade” that significantly refines how ChatGPT follows user instructions and maintains engaging conversations. The company claims the new release introduces enhanced communication styles, allowing the chatbot to adapt better to individual preferences and tones.
Two Versions of ChatGPT 5.1
OpenAI has announced two distinct versions under the 5.1 umbrella catering to different user needs and performance levels:
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ChatGPT 5.1 Instant:
This version is designed to be the most-used model, offering faster and more intelligent responses. It excels at following instructions closely, delivering precise and context-aware answers, ideal for users seeking quick and reliable assistance. -
ChatGPT 5.1 Thinking:
This variant is focused on advanced reasoning and efficiency. OpenAI says it uses fewer tokens for simple queries and provides clearer, jargon-free explanations for complex questions. It’s optimized to think deeper while maintaining speed and accuracy.
New Conversation Styles for Personalized Chat
In addition to performance upgrades, ChatGPT 5.1 brings in new conversation styles Professional, Quirky, and Candid allowing users to fine-tune how the chatbot interacts. This personalization feature ensures that conversations can match different moods or purposes, from business chats to creative brainstorming.
OpenAI’s Vision: Toward a More Human-Like AI
The company says this update is part of a larger vision to personalize AI experiences. In an official statement, “OpenAI said, Today’s GPT-5.1 updates and new customization options are a step toward a ChatGPT that feels like it fits you smarter, more enjoyable to talk to, and more adaptable to your preferences. Going forward, we’ll continue improving along these dimensions there’s much more to come.”
Availability
Paid users of ChatGPT will start receiving the 5.1 update today, with gradual rollout expected for all subscribers soon.
With ChatGPT 5.1, OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of what conversational AI can do — making it not just more capable, but also more you.