OpenAI Introduces New Personality Controls for ChatGPT

Key Points

  • OpenAI adds “Characteristics” settings to adjust warmth, enthusiasm, headers/lists, and emoji usage.
  • Each characteristic offers three levels: more, default, less.
  • Controls are located in the Personalization menu and take effect instantly.
  • Works alongside existing “Base style and tone” presets like Professional, Friendly, and Quirky.
  • Allows users to blend broad tone presets with fine‑tuned attribute adjustments.
  • Early feedback highlights the usefulness of reducing emojis or list formatting for formal tasks.
  • Increased warmth and enthusiasm options enable a more personable interaction style.
  • Future updates may explore more granular sliders for deeper customization.

ChatGPT’s new personality settings let you pick the vibe — and it ranges from corporate calm to chaotic bestie
Persoanality and characteristic settings in ChatGPT

Persoanality and characteristic settings in ChatGPT

ChatGPT app

ChatGPT app

Expanded Personalization Options

OpenAI’s latest update expands ChatGPT’s personalization capabilities by introducing a dedicated “Characteristics” section within the Personalization menu. Users can now modify four key aspects of the AI’s responses: warmth, enthusiasm, the inclusion of headers and lists, and the use of emojis. Each characteristic provides three selectable levels—”more,” “default,” and “less”—allowing users to quickly dial the behavior up or down without complex sliders.

Integration with Existing Tone Settings

These new controls complement the pre‑existing “Base style and tone” options, which already let users choose from presets such as Professional, Friendly, Candid, Quirky, Efficient, Nerdy, and Cynical. By combining the base tone with the fine‑grained characteristic adjustments, users can craft highly specific response profiles. For example, a user might select a Friendly base style while setting warmth to “more” and emojis to “less” for a conversational yet clean output.

Immediate Impact on Interactions

The adjustments apply instantly, meaning users see the effect on the AI’s replies in real time. This immediacy enables quick experimentation, helping individuals find the exact mix that best suits their needs—whether for professional data analysis, casual brainstorming, or a more personable chat experience.

User Experience and Feedback

Early testers have noted that the controls work as described, delivering predictable changes in tone. The ability to reduce list formatting or emoji usage is particularly appreciated by users who prefer a more formal or streamlined presentation. Conversely, the option to increase warmth and enthusiasm allows the bot to adopt a more engaging, friendly demeanor when desired.

Future Directions

While the current system relies on three preset levels for each characteristic, some users have expressed interest in more granular sliders. Nonetheless, the introduction of these personality controls marks a significant step toward giving users greater agency over how AI communicates, aligning the tool’s output more closely with individual preferences and contexts.

Source: techradar.com