OpenAI has released a significant update to its flagship AI, introducing GPT-5.1. The new version focuses on making conversations more natural, intelligent, and personalized, with two distinct models, Instant and Thinking, receiving major enhancements. The rollout begins today for paid subscribers.
Key Takeaways
- OpenAI launched GPT-5.1, an iterative update to its GPT-5 series, on November 12, 2025.
- The update includes two improved models: GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking.
- Key improvements focus on a more conversational tone, better instruction following, and adaptive reasoning capabilities.
- New personalization features allow users to select from six conversational styles, including Professional, Candid, and Quirky.
A More Human-Like Conversation Partner
OpenAI is pushing its flagship AI to be not just smarter, but also more enjoyable to interact with. The new GPT-5.1 Instant model, which powers the most common ChatGPT interactions, has been engineered to be warmer and more conversational by default. Early examples show a shift from purely functional responses to ones that are more playful and engaging while maintaining clarity.
This change is part of a broader effort to improve the user experience. The company stated that it received clear feedback that great AI should excel at both intelligence and communication. The new model aims to address this by providing answers that feel less robotic and more like a natural dialogue.
Beyond its tone, GPT-5.1 Instant has also been improved to better follow user instructions. In tests, the model demonstrates a greater ability to adhere to specific constraints, such as responding in a set number of words, a task its predecessor sometimes struggled with.
Adaptive Reasoning Introduced
For the first time, GPT-5.1 Instant can use adaptive reasoning. This allows the model to determine when a question requires more 'thought' before responding, leading to more thorough and accurate answers for complex math and coding problems without slowing down simple queries.
Upgrades to Advanced Reasoning with GPT-5.1 Thinking
The more powerful model in the series, GPT-5.1 Thinking, has also been significantly upgraded. The primary focus of this update was on efficiency and clarity. The model now dynamically adjusts its processing time based on the complexity of the query.
This means it can answer simple questions much faster than before, while dedicating more time to generate comprehensive responses for difficult, multi-step problems. According to performance data, the new model is approximately twice as fast on the quickest tasks and can be twice as slow on the most complex ones, reflecting its ability to allocate resources more effectively.
Clearer and More Empathetic Responses
Another major change in GPT-5.1 Thinking is its communication style. The model has been trained to use less jargon and fewer undefined technical terms, making its explanations more accessible to a wider audience. This is particularly noticeable when it explains complex subjects, such as advanced statistics.
The updated model also exhibits a warmer and more empathetic tone. When presented with scenarios involving personal stress or minor mishaps, its responses are framed with more emotional intelligence, aiming to reassure the user rather than just providing a list of solutions.
Making ChatGPT Uniquely Yours
Alongside the model upgrades, OpenAI is introducing more intuitive ways for users to customize ChatGPT's personality. The company is expanding its preset tone options to better match how people naturally guide the AI's responses in conversation.
The existing styles—Default, Friendly, and Efficient—have been updated. Three new styles have been added:
- Professional: For a more formal, business-oriented tone.
- Candid: For direct and straightforward answers.
- Quirky: For more creative and unconventional responses.
For users seeking even finer control, OpenAI is experimenting with granular settings that allow direct adjustments to characteristics like conciseness, warmth, and emoji usage. A key usability update is that any changes to personalization settings now take effect immediately across all conversations, including ongoing ones.
What Happens to GPT-5?
The previous GPT-5 models will not disappear immediately. Paid subscribers will have access to the legacy versions via a dropdown menu for the next three months. This transition period is designed to allow users to compare the models and adapt to the changes at their own pace.
Rollout and Availability
The GPT-5.1 updates begin rolling out today, November 12, 2025. The initial release is for paid users, including those on Pro, Plus, Go, and Business plans. Free users are expected to gain access in the coming days.
Enterprise and Education plans will have a seven-day early access window where administrators can opt-in to the new models. Following this period, GPT-5.1 will become the standard default for all users. The models will also be made available to developers through the API later this week.
The company has clarified the naming convention, stating that the '.1' signifies a meaningful, iterative improvement within the GPT-5 generation. This suggests that future updates may follow a similar naming pattern before the eventual release of a completely new generation, such as GPT-6.