Key Points
- OpenAI adds a conversation‑branching feature to ChatGPT on the web.
- Users can create a new chat from any prior message while preserving the original thread.
- The feature is available now to logged‑in users without a subscription fee.
- Designed to aid brainstorming, multi‑draft creation, and side‑by‑side comparison of ideas.
- Early feedback praises the tool as a practical, version‑control‑like addition to the chatbot.
ChatGPT
New Branching Capability Launch
OpenAI has added a conversation‑branching option to ChatGPT, allowing users to split off from any point in an existing chat and start a parallel thread. By selecting “Branch in a new chat” from the message’s more‑options menu, the entire conversation up to that point is duplicated, giving users a fresh space to pursue a different line of thought while keeping the original discussion intact.
How It Works
The feature operates on the web version of ChatGPT and is accessible to any logged‑in user. When a branch is created, the original chat remains unchanged, and a new window appears with the duplicated dialogue. Users can then continue the new thread, experimenting with alternative answers, revisions, or ideas without losing the context of earlier exchanges.
Intended Use Cases
OpenAI describes the tool as helpful for scenarios where users are unsure of the best direction. It can support brainstorming sessions, multiple‑draft generation, or side‑by‑side comparisons—such as trying a spicier version of a recipe and then a sweeter version without overwriting the first suggestion. Educators, content creators, and business professionals may find the ability to preserve several versions of a response useful for planning and iteration.
Availability and Reception
The branching feature is currently available on the web without a subscription requirement. Early reactions highlight its similarity to version‑control systems, noting that it offers a way to “put a pin in” a topic and return later. While it does not introduce new AI memory or agent capabilities, many users view it as a practical enhancement that addresses a frequent request.
Potential Impact
By enabling parallel conversation paths, the feature may streamline workflows that involve exploring multiple options. It also aligns with broader trends in AI tools that aim to increase flexibility and user control. OpenAI’s decision to release it broadly suggests confidence in its utility for a wide audience.
Source: techradar.com