Personalisation Controls in ChatGPT Empower Users

OpenAI has launched new personalisation controls that enable ChatGPT users to directly modify the chatbot’s enthusiasm, warmth, and emoji utilisation. This update, shared via a social media announcement by the company, enhances user influence over the AI’s communication style.

Features of the New Personalisation Controls

The latest options can be found in the Personalisation menu, where individuals can select from More, Less, or Default settings for both enthusiasm and expressiveness. Additionally, similar adjustments have been incorporated regarding how ChatGPT handles headers and lists in its replies. These enhancements expand on the existing choices to select a fundamental style and tone, such as Professional, Candid, or Quirky, which OpenAI initially introduced in November.

Background of the Update

This transformation follows months of discussions concerning ChatGPT’s persona and conversational approach. Earlier in the year, OpenAI reverted a prior update, recognising that the chatbot had adopted a “too sycophant-y” manner, leading to criticism for its excessive flattery and agreement. Recently, the company further refined GPT-5 to present a “warmer and friendlier” tone after receiving feedback indicating that users found the model to be overly cold and detached.

Concerns Regarding Tone and Interaction

The issue of tone has also raised concerns among scholars and critics of AI. Some experts have suggested that chatbots that frequently flatter users or validate their opinions could create a “dark pattern,” fostering dependency and possibly impacting the mental well-being of users.

By providing more specific controls, OpenAI seems to be addressing both user preferences and broader criticisms, allowing each individual to determine whether they desire a highly enthusiastic assistant or a more neutral and composed conversational partner.