OpenAI has released a notable update for its ChatGPT premium users, allowing them to tailor the speed and depth of the AI’s responses to complex inquiries. This new feature introduces various time modes within Thinking mode, aimed at balancing promptness with thorough reasoning. OpenAI stated that this update was prompted by user requests for faster replies without sacrificing accuracy in scenarios that require sophisticated reasoning abilities. Users expressed a desire for quicker responses in ‘Thinking’ mode, the company noted on X. The available options differ based on the subscription level. ChatGPT Plus and Business subscribers can now utilize Standard and Extended modes, with Extended previously being the default.
OpenAI characterizes Standard as the best option for balancing speed and intelligence, making it suitable for those seeking dependable answers without lengthy delays. For ChatGPT Pro subscribers, there are two additional settings: Light and Heavy. Light mode provides the quickest responses, catering to users who prioritize speed over depth, while Heavy mode, which takes longer to respond, offers the most thorough and well-reasoned answers. However, ChatGPT Go users in India, as well as free users globally, will not have access to these new time-control features. Currently, these time options are exclusive to the web version of ChatGPT.
Users can activate them by selecting Thinking mode and choosing their desired option from a drop-down menu, with the selected choice remaining active for all subsequent conversations from that account. OpenAI has not yet disclosed when these features will be introduced on mobile apps for iOS or Android. In addition to this update, OpenAI has enhanced its personalization settings, simplifying the process for users to adjust how ChatGPT engages with them. In a recent announcement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed a more integrated personalization page that consolidates several customization features. From this page, users can alter ChatGPT’s personality, input custom instructions, and modify memory settings.
There are currently five personality presets available: Default, Cynical, Robot, Listener, and Nerd, allowing users to switch based on their mood or task, with the AI adapting accordingly. This updated interface aims to make personalization more user-friendly, enabling quick adaptations of ChatGPT to individual preferences. The introduction of customizable Thinking speeds represents a significant advancement for OpenAI, as it works to enhance the interaction between speed, depth, and personalization in AI conversations. Whether users desire rapid, surface-level replies or detailed, thoughtfully reasoned explanations, ChatGPT now offers more flexibility to accommodate those preferences. With premium users gaining increased control over both response time and chatbot personality, OpenAI is evidently advancing towards more human-like, adaptable, and user-centered AI interactions.