OpenAI Makes GPT-5 Default in ChatGPT, Adds Personalities
OpenAI has ushered in a new era for its flagship conversational AI, ChatGPT, with the official launch of GPT-5, marking a significant leap forward in artificial intelligence capabilities and user experience. The highly anticipated model is now the default engine powering ChatGPT, fundamentally changing how users interact with the platform by eliminating the need for manual model selection.
At the core of this update is GPT-5’s unified system, which intelligently selects the optimal model for any given query. This “real-time router” dynamically assesses the conversation type, complexity, and user intent, seamlessly switching between a rapid “Chat” mode for straightforward requests and a deeper “Thinking” mode for more intricate problems requiring extensive reasoning. This innovation is designed to provide consistent, high-quality responses without users having to decide which GPT variant to employ.
OpenAI touts GPT-5 as its “smartest, fastest, most useful model yet,” delivering state-of-the-art performance across a diverse range of domains including coding, mathematics, creative writing, health, and visual perception. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, likened the new model to a “PhD-level expert,” highlighting its enhanced accuracy, reduced hallucinations, and improved ability to follow complex instructions. This translates to more reliable and precise answers, particularly for professional and complex tasks.
Beyond core performance, ChatGPT also receives notable personalization upgrades. A research preview introduces four distinct preset personalities—Cynic, Robot, Listener, and Nerd—available within the Custom Instructions feature. These personalities allow users to tailor ChatGPT’s tone and style, aiming to address previous feedback regarding the model’s occasional “sycophancy” or overly agreeable nature. However, initial user feedback suggests that while sycophancy has been reduced, some perceive GPT-5 as having a “reduced personality” or a more “sterile” feel compared to its predecessor, GPT-4o, prompting OpenAI to indicate future efforts to make the model “warmer.”
The rollout of GPT-5 is underway for all ChatGPT tiers—Free, Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers—with Enterprise and Education plans set to receive access soon. Older models, including GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, and o3, will be retired, with existing conversations automatically migrating to their GPT-5 equivalents to ensure a smooth transition. Paid users will benefit from higher usage limits, while a lighter “GPT-5 mini” version will serve as a fallback for free users upon reaching their daily limits. Additionally, a more powerful “GPT-5 Pro” with extended reasoning capabilities is available for Pro and Team subscribers, offering unparalleled accuracy for the most demanding tasks. Further enhancements include chat color customization, improved voice capabilities, a dedicated “Study mode,” and forthcoming integrations with Google productivity apps like Gmail and Calendar for Pro users, aimed at making ChatGPT an even more indispensable digital assistant.
This comprehensive update underscores OpenAI’s commitment to advancing AI accessibility and utility, streamlining the user experience while significantly boosting the underlying intelligence of its leading conversational agent.