OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research and deployment company, has rolled out a significant update to ChatGPT, giving users more direct control over the chatbot’s conversational personality. The new features allow for the adjustment of specific characteristics like warmth, enthusiasm, and emoji usage.
Enhanced Personalization Features
Available in the “Personalization” settings menu, users can now set the intensity of these tonal characteristics to “More,” “Less,” or “Default.” This update provides a more granular level of customization, building upon the “base style and tone” options like Professional, Candid, and Quirky that were introduced in November.
These new controls empower users to fine-tune ChatGPT’s output to better align with their specific needs, whether for creative writing, professional communication, or casual conversation.
Addressing User Feedback on Tone
The tone of ChatGPT has been a recurring point of discussion and development for OpenAI. The company has actively responded to user feedback, previously rolling back an update that was perceived as “too sycophant-y.” More recently, adjustments were made to the GPT-5 model to make it “warmer and friendlier” after some users found it to be cold and impersonal.
This latest move to put control directly in the hands of the user represents a strategic shift, allowing individuals to define their preferred interaction style rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model. It also subtly addresses concerns from some academics and critics who have pointed to the potential “dark patterns” of overly affirming AI, which they argue could foster addictive behavior.
Relevance for the MENA Tech Scene
For the burgeoning tech ecosystem in MENA, this update offers tangible benefits. Startups across the region, from Dubai’s e-commerce platforms to Riyadh’s SaaS companies, can leverage these controls to ensure their AI-powered customer service bots and content creation tools perfectly match their brand voice. A fintech startup might opt for a more professional and less enthusiastic tone, while a travel-tech company could dial up the warmth and emoji use to engage users.
This level of customization is particularly valuable in a diverse region like MENA, where cultural nuances in communication are key. Developers and businesses can now create more localized and culturally resonant user experiences, enhancing customer engagement and brand loyalty.
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company. Its mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—AI systems that are generally smarter than humans—benefits all of humanity. The company is known for its pioneering work in large-scale AI models, including the GPT series and DALL-E.
Source: TechCrunch
