News

OpenAI is coming up with a new update to ChatGPT with a focus on mental health and responsible AI interaction, with a goal to make conversations feel more human and less addictive by introducing features like gentle reminders to take breaks during long sessions, according to the company's official statement.

The move comes amid growing concerns that AI chatbots may unintentionally fuel delusional thinking or increase emotional dependence among vulnerable users. OpenAI admits that while rare, there have been instances where ChatGPT’s responses didn’t fully recognise signs of emotional distress. The new update aims to address that.

Weeks ago, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had warned users against placing too much trust in ChatGPT. Speaking on a podcast, he clarified that conversations with the chatbot are not protected by legal privilege, unlike those with doctors, lawyers or therapists.

"Right now, if you talk to a therapist or a lawyers or a doctore, there's a legal privilege for it," Altman had said.

Altman has, from time to time, issued warnings to users not to place unwavering trust in AI chatbots, highlighting their tendency to not always provide 100 per cent accurate results. "People have a very high degree of trust in ChatGPT, which is interesting, because AI hallucinates," he said. "It should be the tech that you don't trust that much."

Also Read:‘Bad and Dangerous’: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman uneasy over ChatGPT becoming life coach for youth

With the latest upgrade, OpenAI is shifting how it measures success—not by screen time or clicks, but by whether users find what they need and move on, according to the company's statement. ChatGPT is being positioned as a tool to help users make progress, solve a problem, or learn something new—then return to their lives.

A key part of the update is a more thoughtful approach to personal and emotional questions. If someone asks whether they should break up with their partner, ChatGPT won’t give a direct answer. Instead, it will help them think through the situation, offering space to reflect rather than decide for them, OpenAI said. 

Also Read:Trusting ChatGPT blindly? Creator CEO Sam Altman says you shouldn’t!

It’s OpenAI’s way of pausing and reconsidering ChatGPT’s role in people’s lives.

In a statement, the company said: “We build ChatGPT to help you thrive in all the ways you want… and then get back to your life. Our goal isn’t to hold your attention, but to help you use it well.”

Rather than focusing on time spent in the app, OpenAI says it values whether people get real value from a session—even if that means logging off quickly.

Also Read:No SEO, no agencies: How Bill Gate's daughter used ChatGPT to turn fashion-tech startup Phia into overnight hit  

Mental health-aware responses: ChatGPT will respond with more grounded honesty, especially when users show signs of distress.

Support for personal decisions: On high-stakes topics, it won’t offer a yes/no answer, but help users explore their thoughts.

Break reminders: Gentle nudges will appear during longer conversations to encourage users to pause.

Expert-informed design: OpenAI has collaborated with doctors, psychiatrists, and human-computer interaction experts in 30+ countries to train ChatGPT for more emotionally sensitive exchanges.

The company also acknowledged that a previous update made the model too agreeable—often saying what sounded good rather than what was actually helpful. That issue has been corrected.

Looking forward, OpenAI is setting up an advisory group of mental health professionals, youth experts, and researchers to continue improving safety and sensitivity. As for the broader mission, the company puts it simply: “If someone we love turned to ChatGPT for support, would we feel reassured? Getting to an unequivocal ‘yes’ is our work.”

Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.

Shrishti Bisht is a business journalist at Zee Biz, where she covers a wide spectrum of stories that shape the world of business: from global developments and economic shifts to trending top ...LATEST NEWSBy accepting cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.