ChatGPT Group Chats: Users Are Getting a Collaborative AI Upgrade (But Only If You're in the Right Country)

OpenAI has officially launched group chats in ChatGPT, marking a significant evolution from solitary AI interaction to collaborative, multi-user AI experiences. However, there's a catch that's leaving most of the platform's massive 800 million weekly active user base on the sidelines. The feature is currently available only in four select markets as part of a limited pilot program.

The rollout, announced on November 14, 2025, represents OpenAI's boldest move yet toward transforming ChatGPT from a simple question-and-answer tool into a social collaboration platform; one that positions AI not as a replacement for human interaction, but as an active participant in group dynamics.

Why Only Four Countries?

The group chat feature is currently rolling out exclusively to users in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan across all subscription tiers including Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans. This strategic selection of Asia-Pacific markets isn't accidental.

These four countries represent some of the world's most AI-eager populations and provide OpenAI with diverse cultural contexts to test how people collaborate with artificial intelligence in real-time.

The phased approach follows OpenAI's established pattern of testing features in select markets before global deployment, a strategy that helped the company navigate cultural sensitivities and usage patterns when rolling out other features like the $5/month ChatGPT Go subscription plan, which first launched in India before expanding globally.

How ChatGPT Group Chats Actually Work

The mechanics are refreshingly straightforward, designed to feel familiar to anyone who's used modern messaging apps:

Getting Started

Users can initiate a group chat by tapping the people icon in the top right corner of any new or existing conversation. The system generates a shareable invitation link that can be distributed to one to twenty participants with ChatGPT accounts.

Technical Capabilities

Group chats are powered by GPT-5.1 Auto, which automatically selects the optimal model based on the prompt and the subscription tier of the user ChatGPT is responding to. This means participants on different plans (Free, Plus, Pro) in the same group will receive responses calibrated to their account level.

The feature supports the full suite of ChatGPT capabilities:

• Search functionality for real-time information retrieval
• Image generation using DALL-E
• File uploads for document analysis and collaboration
• Voice dictation for hands-free interaction

Smart Rate Limiting

OpenAI has implemented an intelligent rate-limiting system where usage caps only apply when ChatGPT generates responses, not when human participants message each other. This means your group's brainstorming session won't eat into your message limits unless you're actively querying the AI.

Real-World Use Cases: From Trip Planning to Enterprise Collaboration

The potential applications span personal, educational, and professional contexts:

Personal & Social

• Trip Planning: Multiple friends coordinating travel with ChatGPT comparing destinations, building itineraries, and creating packing lists
• Event Organization: Groups deciding on restaurants that accommodate everyone's dietary preferences
• Creative Projects: Roommates or partners collaborating on home design, art selection, or garden planning

Professional & Academic

• Team Collaboration: Coworkers drafting outlines, conducting research, or brainstorming project ideas
• Document Review: Groups sharing articles, notes, and questions while ChatGPT summarizes and organizes information
• Study Groups: Students working through complex topics together with AI-powered tutoring

Revenue & Valuation

ChatGPT generated $3.7 billion in revenue in 2024, more than tripling from $1 billion in 2023. The company hit $10 billion in annual recurring revenue by mid-2025.

Subscription Metrics

ChatGPT Plus has gained over 10 million users globally, with 3 million paying business users across ChatGPT Enterprise, Team, and Edu plans.

Market Dominance

With 81.13% market share, ChatGPT leads the generative AI category, processing over 6 billion tokens per minute through its API.

When Will Global Rollout Happen?

OpenAI hasn't provided a concrete timeline for expanding group chats beyond the initial four markets. The company's cautious approach suggests they're monitoring several factors:

1. Usage Patterns: How frequently are groups actually used? What's the typical group size? How long do conversations last?
2. Cultural Fit: Are there significant behavioral differences across the four test markets that might inform localization strategies?
3. Technical Performance: Can the infrastructure handle the increased computational load of multi-user, real-time interactions at scale?
4. Safety Considerations: Are there unexpected moderation challenges when AI participates in group dynamics?

Based on OpenAI's historical rollout patterns, a broader expansion could occur within 3-6 months if the pilot proves successful. The company's track record with features like GPT-5 and the Go subscription plan suggests they typically expand globally within a quarter once initial testing validates the product-market fit.

Key Takeaways for Users and Businesses

For Individual Users:

• Group chats are currently limited to Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan
• The feature supports 1-20 participants across all subscription tiers
• Privacy protections keep group conversations separate from personal ChatGPT memory
• Expect global rollout within 3-6 months if the pilot succeeds

For Businesses:

• 92% of Fortune 500 companies already use ChatGPT; group features could enhance existing workflows
• Consider competitive positioning as AI collaboration tools become standard infrastructure
• Monitor pilot feedback for insights into how teams might adopt collaborative AI

For Developers:

• Current implementation lacks programmatic access
• Watch for announcements about developer hooks or SDK support
• Consider building custom multi-user AI experiences while waiting for official API support
• Alternative solutions like Continua offer third-party group chat integration

Conclusion: The Collaboration Revolution Begins

ChatGPT group chats mark the beginning of what could be the most significant shift in AI interaction since the launch of ChatGPT itself in November 2022. By transforming AI from a solitary assistant into a collaborative participant, OpenAI is pioneering a new category of social infrastructure that blends human creativity with artificial intelligence.

For now, only a fraction of ChatGPT's massive user base can access this feature. But if the pilot succeeds, we may soon look back on this moment as the inflection point when AI stopped being something we used alone and became something we experienced together.