December 2025

OpenAI lets users tweak ChatGPT’s energy and tone

OpenAI added new controls in ChatGPT that let users adjust the chatbot’s warmth, enthusiasm, emoji use, and formatting style. This builds on existing tone options, addressing past complaints about the AI being too sycophantic or cold.

OpenAI updates ChatGPT guidelines to protect teen users

OpenAI updated its guidelines for users under 18 and released new resources for parents to promote safer interactions with ChatGPT. Experts caution that while the rules are clearer on paper, it’s unclear how consistently the AI follows them in practice.

ChatGPT hits $3B in mobile app revenue faster than TikTok

ChatGPT surpassed $3 billion in global consumer spending on mobile since its 2023 launch. This makes it one of the fastest-growing apps in terms of revenue, outpacing rivals like TikTok, Disney+, and HBO Max.

OpenAI rolls out an updated image generation model

OpenAI released GPT Image 1.5, a new version of ChatGPT Images that’s faster and better at following instructions and making precise edits. The update comes as OpenAI races to keep up with Google’s Gemini and Nano Banana Pro in AI image generation.

Disney gives OpenAI a one-year exclusive period before expanding AI licensing

Disney invested $1 billion into OpenAI, allowing users on Sora to create videos using over 200 Disney characters, at least for the first year exclusively. Bob Iger says the deal gives Disney a chance to explore AI while protecting its characters.

OpenAI highlights enterprise surge as Google pressure grows

OpenAI reported that enterprise use of its AI tools has surged, with ChatGPT message volume up 8x since late 2024 and workers saving up to an hour a day. The data underscores OpenAI’s push to win enterprise customers as competition heats up from Google, Anthropic, and open-model rivals.

OpenAI unveils GPT-5.2 as Google rivalry heats up

OpenAI rolled out its latest model, GPT-5.2, as competition with Google continued to heat up. The model will roll out to paid ChatGPT users and developers in three versions — Instant, Thinking, and Pro — tailored for everything from everyday tasks to complex reasoning and high-accuracy work.

Altman calls ‘code red’ inside OpenAI as ChatGPT faces rising competition

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman put OpenAI on “code red,” telling staff the company will prioritize improving ChatGPT as pressure mounts from Google and other AI competitors. As part of the move, OpenAI plans to put some other initiatives, including advertising, on the back burner.

November 2025

OpenAI introduces AI assistant for online shopping

OpenAI launched a new AI shopping feature in ChatGPT ahead of the peak holiday shopping window to help users research potential purchases. The feature lets users get product recommendations by describing features or sharing photos to find similar items at different prices.

OpenAI refutes claims linking ChatGPT to teen’s death

After a family sued OpenAI in August, claiming their teen used ChatGPT as a “suicide coach,” OpenAI said in a new court filing that it isn’t liable, arguing the chatbot was misused.

ChatGPT integrates voice mode into main interface

OpenAI brought ChatGPT’s voice mode straight into the main chat, so users no longer have to jump to a separate screen. Now users can talk to ChatGPT and see everything it says and shows right in the same window.

OpenAI blocked from ‘Cameo’ following trademark lawsuit

OpenAI can’t use “cameo” for Sora features for now, following a trademark lawsuit from the video app Cameo, with the ban lasting until December 22.

Group chat feature now available to all ChatGPT users

ChatGPT is now getting group chats for everyone — Free, Go, Plus, and Pro users alike. Users can team up with friends, family, or co-workers in one chat with ChatGPT to plan, create, or make decisions together.

OpenAI rolls out GPT‑5.1 with advanced reasoning and user-friendly tone

OpenAI released GPT‑5.1, upgrading the GPT‑5 series with two models: Instant, which it says will be warmer and more conversational with users, and Thinking, which offers faster simple-task handling and more persistent complex reasoning.

Munich court says ChatGPT violated music copyright laws

A Munich court ruled that ChatGPT violated German copyright law by reproducing lyrics from nine protected songs, rejecting OpenAI’s argument that the AI only reflected learned patterns.

Seven more families accuse OpenAI of negligence over ChatGPT-related suicides

In November, seven families sued OpenAI, alleging that GPT-4o was released prematurely without safeguards, contributing to suicides and severe psychiatric harm. The lawsuits focus on GPT-4o’s tendency to be overly agreeable despite users expressing dangerous intentions.

OpenAI reaches 1 million business clients in record time

On November 5, OpenAI announced that over 1 million businesses globally now use its products, making it the fastest-growing business platform in history.

October 2025

ChatGPT handles over a million suicide-related conversations weekly

OpenAI revealed that a small but significant portion of ChatGPT users, more than a million weekly, discuss mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts, with the AI. The company says it has improved ChatGPT’s responses by consulting more than 170 mental health experts.

OpenAI launches Atlas to make ChatGPT your main search tool

OpenAI launched its AI browser, ChatGPT Atlas, starting on Mac, letting users get answers from ChatGPT instead of traditional search results. Unlike other AI browsers, Atlas is open to all users and will soon come to Windows, iOS, and Android.

Walmart shopping comes to ChatGPT

OpenAI partnered with Walmart to allow users to browse products, plan meals, and make purchases through ChatGPT, part of OpenAI’s broader effort to develop AI-driven e-commerce tools.

ChatGPT surpasses 800 million weekly active users

ChatGPT now has 800 million weekly active users, reflecting rapid growth across consumers, developers, enterprises, and governments.

Developers can now build apps inside ChatGPT

OpenAI now allows developers to build interactive apps directly inside ChatGPT, with early partners like Booking.com, Expedia, Spotify, Figma, and others already onboard.

September 2025

OpenAI introduces ChatGPT Pulse for personalized morning briefs

OpenAI unveiled Pulse, a new ChatGPT feature that delivers personalized morning briefings overnight, encouraging users to start their day with the app. The tool reflects a shift toward making ChatGPT more proactive and asynchronous.

OpenAI moves into AI-Powered shopping, challenging tech giants

OpenAI launched Instant Checkout in ChatGPT, letting U.S. users purchase products directly from Etsy and, soon, over a million Shopify merchants without leaving the conversation.

OpenAI tightens ChatGPT rules for teens amid safety concerns

CEO Sam Altman announced new policies for under-18 users of ChatGPT, tightening safeguards around sensitive conversations. The company says it will block flirtatious exchanges with minors and add stronger protections around discussions of suicide.

OpenAI rolls out GPT-5-Codex to power smarter AI coding

OpenAI rolled out GPT-5-Codex, a new version of its AI coding agent that can spend anywhere from a few seconds to seven hours tackling a task, depending on complexity.

August 2025

OpenAI to strengthen ChatGPT safeguards after teen suicide lawsuit

OpenAI, facing a lawsuit from the parents of a 16-year-old who died by suicide, implemented new safeguards for ChatGPT, including stronger detection of mental health risks and parental control features.

OpenAI unveils GPT-5, a smarter, task-ready ChatGPT

OpenAI released GPT-5, a next-gen AI that’s not just smarter but more useful — able to handle tasks like coding apps, managing calendars, and creating research briefs.

OpenAI offers ChatGPT Enterprise to federal agencies for just $1

OpenAI is making a major push into federal government workflows, offering ChatGPT Enterprise to agencies for just $1 for the next year.

OpenAI returns to open source with new AI models

OpenAI unveiled its first open source language models since GPT-2, introducing two new open-weight AI releases: gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b.

July 2025

ChatGPT now has study mode

OpenAI unveiled Study Mode, a new ChatGPT feature designed to promote critical thinking by prompting students to engage with material rather than simply receive answers.

OpenAI launches a general-purpose agent in ChatGPT

OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Agent, which completes a wide variety of computer-based tasks on behalf of users, including calendar management, drafting presentations, running code, and shopping online.

June 2025

OpenAI has launched o3-pro, an upgraded version of its o3 AI reasoning model

OpenAI unveiled o3-pro, an enhanced version of its o3 reasoning model, available for ChatGPT and Team users and in the API.

ChatGPT’s conversational voice mode has been upgraded

OpenAI upgraded ChatGPT’s conversational voice mode for all paid users, enabling more natural and fluid out-loud conversations and easier language translation.

May 2025

OpenAI’s ChatGPT unveils its AI coding agent, Codex

OpenAI introduced its AI coding agent, Codex, powered by codex-1, a version of its o3 reasoning model designed for software engineering tasks.

OpenAI releases its GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini AI models in ChatGPT

OpenAI launched GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini models in ChatGPT, specializing in coding tasks and instruction following.

April 2025

OpenAI launches its latest reasoning models, o3 and o4-mini

OpenAI released two new reasoning models, o3 and o4-mini, just two days after launching GPT-4.1. The new models can use ChatGPT features like web browsing, coding, and image processing.

OpenAI unveils GPT-4.1 AI models that focus on coding capabilities

OpenAI launched three members of the GPT-4.1 model family with a specific focus on coding capabilities, accessible via the OpenAI API.

March 2025

ChatGPT has upgraded its image-generation feature

OpenAI rolled out a major upgrade to ChatGPT’s image-generation capabilities, allowing ChatGPT to use GPT-4o to generate and edit images directly.

OpenAI launches new tools to help businesses build AI agents

OpenAI rolled out new tools designed to help developers and businesses build AI agents using the company’s own AI models and frameworks.

February 2025

OpenAI cancels its o3 AI model in favor of a ‘unified’ next-gen release

OpenAI canceled the release of o3 in favor of what CEO Sam Altman called a “simplified” product offering, leading to GPT-5.

You can now use ChatGPT web search without logging in

OpenAI now allows anyone to use ChatGPT web search without having to log in, though responses were previously restricted to the chatbot’s last training update.

OpenAI unveils a new ChatGPT agent for ‘deep research’

OpenAI announced a new AI agent called deep research, designed to help people conduct in-depth, complex research using ChatGPT.

January 2025

OpenAI launches o3-mini, its latest ‘reasoning’ model

OpenAI launched o3-mini, the newest in the company’s o family of models, pitching it as both powerful and affordable.

OpenAI launches ChatGPT plan for US government agencies

OpenAI launched ChatGPT Gov, designed to provide U.S. government agencies an additional way to access the technology with enhanced security and compliance features.

OpenAI launches Operator, an AI agent that performs tasks autonomously

OpenAI launched research preview of Operator, a general-purpose AI agent that can take control of a web browser and independently perform actions like booking travel and shopping.

Throughout 2025, OpenAI also faced ongoing legal challenges including copyright infringement lawsuits, internal drama with executive departures, and increasing pressure from competitors like Google and DeepSeek. Despite these challenges, ChatGPT’s user base grew to 800 million weekly active users by October, and the company continued to push boundaries with new models, enterprise features, and AI agents.

Source:TechCrunch News