OpenAI is introducing a new way for users to customize their interactions with ChatGPT, the company’s AI-powered chatbot.
Some users on X on Thursday reported that ChatGPT’s existing custom instructions menu on the web has been revamped with new fields. Now, users can specify a preferred name or nickname, their profession, other things they’d like ChatGPT to know about them, and “traits” they’d like the chatbot to have. OpenAI suggests traits like “Chatty,” “Encouraging,” and “Gen Z.”
“Introduce yourself to get better, more personalized responses,” reads a message in the refreshed menu.
The options aren’t showing up for this reporter yet. TechCrunch has reached out to OpenAI for comment and will update this article if we hear back.
It’s likely the new menu is more of an aesthetic makeover than a deep technical upgrade. The old custom instructions feature used what’s known as prompt engineering to guide ChatGPT’s style and tone. Essentially, it “primed” the AI powering ChatGPT with a paragraph of user-provided instructions so its answers adhered to those requirements and preferences.
So far as we can tell, the new menu still relies on prompt engineering. It simply presents it in a user-friendlier way.
OpenAI previously said that it applies moderation to custom instructions to check if they adhere to its terms of use. Presumably, that hasn’t changed with the revamped personalization settings.
OpenAI has looked to polish ChatGPT as its user base grows, adding capabilities like live web search and a “Canvas” interface tailored to writing and coding projects. The company said in December that over 300 million people use the chatbot each week.
