OpenAI Adds Two New Features To ChatGPT, Emphasising Healthy Use

OpenAI has introduced two new features to its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, aimed at encouraging healthy usage.

ChatGPT users will now begin seeing “gentle reminders” during long sessions, suggesting they take a break.

“We build ChatGPT to help you thrive in all the ways you want. To make progress, learn something new, or solve a problem — and then get back to your life. Our goal isn’t to hold your attention, but to help you use it well,” said OpenAI.

“Instead of measuring success by time spent or clicks, we care more about whether you leave the product having done what you came for,” the company added.

OpenAI also said that ChatGPT will no longer give direct answers to high-stakes, sensitive questions such as “Should I break up with my boyfriend?” Instead, it will “help you think it through—asking questions, weighing pros and cons.” The company noted that new behavior for high-stakes personal decisions will be rolled out soon.

OpenAI is working on improving its models to better detect signs of mental or emotional distress so ChatGPT can respond appropriately and point people to evidence-based resources when needed.

The company said that it has collaborated with 90 physicians across 30 countries to build custom evaluation rubrics for complex, multi-turn conversations. The company is also engaging with human-computer interaction (HCI) researchers and clinicians to give feedback on how ChatGPT identified concerning behaviors and stress-test product safeguards. It also formed an advisory group of experts in mental health, youth development, and human-computer-interaction.