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OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Group Chats and a Free U.S. Teacher Edition

The twin releases underscore a shift toward managed collaboration with clear data protections.

Overview

  • Group chats are now available to all logged‑in ChatGPT users across Free, Go, Plus and Pro tiers with support for up to 20 participants and link‑based invites.
  • OpenAI trained new social behavior so the AI can follow multi‑person conversation flow, stay quiet when appropriate and respond when @ mentioned.
  • Personal ChatGPT memories are kept separate from group conversations, and creators’ memories are not shared with other members.
  • Group threads add management tools and collaboration features including a grouped sidebar view, nicknames, mute, add/remove members, file and image support, voice input, search and per‑group custom instructions.
  • Separately, OpenAI released a teacher edition for U.S. K–12 staff free through June 2027 that offers GPT‑5.1 Auto and classroom tools with FERPA‑aligned handling of student data.