OpenAI has released an upgrade to its GPT-5 series, introducing two new models designed to be more conversational and capable of “adaptive reasoning” to handle complex tasks.
The update features GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking, both of which begin rolling out to paid subscribers yesterday, said the company.
The move comes in response to demand for artificial intelligence that feels less robotic in its interactions. The company says it has adjusted the default behaviour of the models to be “warmer” and more empathetic.
“We heard clearly from users that great AI should not only be smart, but also enjoyable to talk to,” the company stated. “GPT-5.1 improves meaningfully on both intelligence and communication style.”
“Faster and more playful”
GPT-5.1 Instant, which replaces the previous default model, is designed to be faster and more playful. For the first time, this model utilises adaptive reasoning, allowing it to autonomously decide when to pause and “think” before answering challenging questions.
The second model, GPT-5.1 Thinking, focuses on efficiency. It adapts its processing time based on the complexity of the query. According to OpenAI, the model is “roughly twice as fast on the fastest tasks and twice as slow on the slowest tasks” compared to the previous version.
Alongside the new models, OpenAI is introducing enhanced customisation controls. Users can now select from preset personalities, including “Professional”, “Candid”, and “Quirky”, to steer the AI’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,” the company added.
The update is available immediately for Plus, Team, and Enterprise users, with API access scheduled to follow later this week.
