Updated model may deliver a bit more unwanted content, but will be polite about it
OpenAI on Wednesday introduced GPT-5.1, an AI model update that’s «warmer», more conversational, and slightly more willing to blurt out unwelcome observations about sex, violence, and mental health in a way that invites emotional dependence.
The upstart’s latest model drop consists of two variations: GPT‑5.1 Instant, «now warmer, more intelligent, and better at following your instructions», according to OpenAI, and GPT‑5.1 Thinking, «our advanced reasoning model, now easier to understand and faster on simple tasks, more persistent on complex ones.»
GPT-5.1 is available to paying subscribers; freeloaders will continue to have access to GPT-5, released in August (gpt-5-instant-aug15) and then updated last month (gpt-5-instant-oct3).
«We heard clearly from users that great AI should not only be smart, but also enjoyable to talk to», the company said in its announcement. «GPT‑5.1 improves meaningfully on both intelligence and communication style.”
«We’re also making it easier for you to shape ChatGPT’s tone. Preferences on chat style vary – from person to person and even from conversation to conversation – so we’re introducing more intuitive and effective controls so ChatGPT can better match the tone you want in responses.»
OpenAI in August introduced four personality settings for ChatGPT as options in its Personalization menu when it rolled out GPT-5: Cynical, Robot, Listener, and Nerd.
With the 5.1 release, Robot becomes “Efficient”, Listener is now called “Friendly”, Cynical becomes “Cynic”, and Nerd remains unchanged.
