ChatGPT users can now choose to interact with a new ‘Quirky’ version of the AI chatbot, following a significant update from OpenAI aimed at making conversations “smarter, more enjoyable, and more adaptable”. The ‘Quirky’ mode is one of three new personality options, joining ‘Professional’ and ‘Candid’, and building on the ‘Cynical’ and ‘Nerdy’ personalities introduced earlier this year.
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“These options are designed to align with how people naturally guide the model, making it quick and intuitive to select a personality that feels right for them,” OpenAI explained in a blog post.
The company is also testing new personalisation settings that allow users to adjust the chatbot’s tone and style — including how concise, warm, or emoji-friendly its responses are. All personality types are now available to ChatGPT users and apply across every chat session, including ongoing conversations.
Earlier this year, OpenAI faced backlash over a previous update that made the chatbot’s tone excessively flattering. The company later admitted that the “overly supportive but disingenuous” behaviour of GPT-4o could cause discomfort for users.
“Sycophantic interactions can be unsettling and cause distress,” OpenAI acknowledged at the time. “We fell short and are working on getting it right.”
The latest GPT-5.1 update also introduces two new model types — ‘Instant’ and ‘Thinking’. The former is designed to provide “warmer, more intelligent” replies, while the latter focuses on speed for simple tasks and persistence for complex ones. According to OpenAI’s head of applications, Fidji Simo, the overhaul marks a shift away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach for the chatbot’s 800 million users.
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“Some users want direct, neutral responses. Others seek empathy and conversation,” she said. “Most people want both — but not through different personas. Instead of building one perfect experience for everyone, we want ChatGPT to feel personal, working with you in the way that suits you best.”
