Life
ChatGPT’s New Custom Traits: What It Means for Personalised AI Interaction
ChatGPT’s new trait assignment feature lets users personalise their chats by adjusting tone and style from Chatty to Gen Z, or Analytical.
Published
3 months agoon
By
AIinAsia
TL;DR – What You Need to Know in 30 Seconds
- OpenAI has introduced a new trait assignment feature for ChatGPT, allowing users to personalise its tone and style.
- Users can specify a nickname, profession, and personality traits like “Chatty,” “Encouraging,” or “Gen Z.”
- This feature does not affect ChatGPT’s memory, which separately retains or forgets past interactions.
- The update is currently rolling out on ChatGPT.com and Windows, with mobile and MacOS versions coming soon.
- While this enhances customisation, it still relies on prompt engineering, meaning it doesn’t deeply change how the AI works.
- OpenAI moderates trait usage to prevent misuse and ensure compliance with its terms of service.
OpenAI’s New ChatGPT Update: Custom Traits for a Personalised Experience
OpenAI has launched a new customisation feature for ChatGPT, giving users the ability to assign personality traits to the AI. This update aims to enhance how users interact with ChatGPT, making conversations feel more natural and tailored to individual preferences.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all AI assistant, users can now adjust ChatGPT’s tone, engagement style, and personality to better match their needs—whether for professional tasks, casual conversation, or content creation.
How It Works: Assigning Traits to ChatGPT
Users now have greater control over ChatGPT’s persona by specifying:
- Preferred Name/Nickname – ChatGPT will refer to users by their chosen name.
- Profession – Users can provide their job title or field for more relevant responses.
- Traits – Users can choose from a variety of styles, such as:
- Chatty – More conversational and engaging.
- Encouraging – Supportive and motivational.
- Gen Z – A more informal, youthful style.
- Skeptical – More critical and questioning in responses.
- Analytical – Ideal for professional or logical discussions.
- Creative – A better fit for brainstorming and ideation.
- Concise – Focused on summarised, to-the-point replies.
- Empathetic – Suitable for more sensitive topics.
This feature is separate from ChatGPT’s memory, meaning it doesn’t remember details across different conversations but instead modifies responses in real time based on user input.
Is This a Deep AI Upgrade or a Simple UI Change?
Despite the buzz, this is not a fundamental change to ChatGPT’s underlying model. The feature relies on prompt engineering, meaning it adjusts responses rather than truly altering how the AI thinks or operates.
In essence, it’s a user-friendly way to tweak ChatGPT’s style using preset prompts rather than requiring users to manually provide detailed instructions.
Moderation Considerations
To prevent misuse or inappropriate modifications, OpenAI moderates the customisation options to ensure they align with its terms of service. While users can tailor ChatGPT’s personality, it won’t allow for harmful or misleading persona adjustments.
What’s Next? Expansion to More Platforms
The trait assignment feature is currently rolling out to:
- ChatGPT.com
- Windows desktop app
Coming soon: The update will be available on MacOS and mobile apps in the next few weeks.
However, users in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland won’t have immediate access due to regulatory considerations.
Potential Impacts: A Step Towards More Personalised AI?
This update marks a shift towards making AI interactions feel more human-like and relatable. It’s particularly useful for:
- Businesses and professionals – More tailored, industry-specific AI interactions.
- Casual users – A more engaging and fun conversation experience.
- Content creators – An AI that aligns better with their preferred tone and style.
That said, it also raises questions about how personality traits might impact AI reliability, especially when it comes to factual accuracy and biases in different roles.
Final Thoughts
OpenAI’s new trait assignment feature is a welcome addition for users looking for a more personalised ChatGPT experience. While it doesn’t represent a deep technical shift, it streamlines customisation and could pave the way for even more user control over AI interactions in the future.
For now, the biggest takeaway is that ChatGPT can sound more like the assistant you want it to be—whether that’s chatty, analytical, or even a little bit Gen Z.
Let’s Talk AI!
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Life
Which ChatGPT Model Should You Choose?
Confused about the ChatGPT model options? This guide clarifies how to choose the right model for your tasks.
Published
56 minutes agoon
May 9, 2025By
AIinAsia
TL;DR — What You Need to Know:
- GPT-4o is ideal for summarising, brainstorming, and real-time data analysis, with multimodal capabilities.
- GPT-4.5 is the go-to for creativity, emotional intelligence, and communication-based tasks.
- o4-mini is designed for speed and technical queries, while o4-mini-high excels at detailed tasks like advanced coding and scientific explanations.
Navigating the Maze of ChatGPT Models
OpenAI’s ChatGPT has come a long way, but its multitude of models has left many users scratching their heads. If you’re still confused about which version of ChatGPT to use for what task, you’re not alone! Luckily, OpenAI has stepped in with a handy guide that outlines when to choose one model over another. Whether you’re an enterprise user or just getting started, this breakdown will help you make sense of the options at your fingertips.
So, Which ChatGPT Model Makes Sense For You?
Currently, ChatGPT offers five models, each suited to different tasks. They are:
- GPT-4o – the “omni model”
- GPT-4.5 – the creative powerhouse
- o4-mini – the speedster for technical tasks
- o4-mini-high – the heavy lifter for detailed work
- o3 – the analytical thinker for complex, multi-step problems
Which model should you use?
Here’s what OpenAI has to say:
- GPT-4o: If you’re looking for a reliable all-rounder, this is your best bet. It’s perfect for tasks like summarising long texts, brainstorming emails, or generating content on the fly. With its multimodal features, it supports text, images, audio, and even advanced data analysis.
- GPT-4.5: If creativity is your priority, then GPT-4.5 is your go-to. This version shines with emotional intelligence and excels in communication-based tasks. Whether you’re crafting engaging narratives or brainstorming innovative ideas, GPT-4.5 brings a more human-like touch.
- o4-mini: For those in need of speed and precision, o4-mini is the way to go. It handles technical queries like STEM problems and programming tasks swiftly, making it a strong contender for quick problem-solving.
- o4-mini-high: If you’re dealing with intricate, detailed tasks like advanced coding or complex mathematical equations, o4-mini-high delivers the extra horsepower you need. It’s designed for accuracy and higher-level technical work.
- o3: When the task requires multi-step reasoning or strategic planning, o3 is the model you want. It’s designed for deep analysis, complex coding, and problem-solving across multiple stages.
Which one should you pick?
For $20/month with ChatGPT Plus, you’ll have access to all these models and can easily switch between them depending on your task.
But here’s the big question: Which model are you most likely to use? Could OpenAI’s new model options finally streamline your workflow, or will you still be bouncing between versions? Let me know your thoughts!
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Life
Neuralink Brain-Computer Interface Helps ALS Patient Edit and Narrate YouTube
Neuralink enabled a paralysed ALS patient to use a brain-computer interface to edit a YouTube video and narrate with AI.
Published
18 hours agoon
May 8, 2025By
AIinAsia
TL;DR — What You Need to Know:
- Bradford Smith, diagnosed with ALS, used Neuralink’s brain-computer interface to edit and upload a YouTube video, marking a significant milestone for paralyzed patients.
- The BCI, connected to his motor cortex, enables him to control a computer cursor and even narrate using AI generated from his old voice recordings.
- Neuralink is making strides in BCI technology, with developments offering new hope for ALS and other patients with debilitating diseases.
Neuralink Breakthrough: Paralyzed Patient Narrates Video with AI
In a stunning development that combines cutting-edge technology and personal resilience, Bradford Smith, a patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), has made remarkable strides using Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI). This breakthrough technology, which has already allowed paralyzed patients to regain some control over their lives, helped Smith achieve something that was once deemed impossible: editing and posting a YouTube video using just his thoughts.
Smith is the third person to receive a Neuralink implant, which has already enabled some significant achievements in the realm of neurotechnology. ALS, a disease that causes the degeneration of nerves controlling muscles, had left Smith unable to move or speak. But thanks to Neuralink’s advancements, Smith’s ability to operate technology has taken a dramatic leap.
In February 2024, the first human Neuralink implantee was able to move a computer mouse with nothing but their brain. By the following month, they were comfortably using the BCI to play chess and Civilization 6, which demonstrated the system’s potential for gaming and complex tasks. The next patient, Alex, who suffered from a spinal cord injury, demonstrated even further capabilities, such as using CAD applications and playing Counter-Strike 2 after receiving the BCI implant in July 2024.
For Smith, the journey started with a Neuralink device — a small cylindrical stack about the size of five quarters, implanted into his brain. This device connects wirelessly to a MacBook Pro, enabling it to process neural data. Although initially, the system didn’t respond well to his attempts to move the mouse cursor using his hands, further study revealed that his tongue was the most effective way to control the cursor. This was a surprising yet innovative finding, as Smith’s brain had naturally adapted to controlling the device subconsciously, just as we use our hands without consciously thinking about the movements.
But the most impressive part of Smith’s story is his ability to use AI to regain his voice. Using old recordings of Smith’s voice, engineers trained a speech synthesis AI to allow him to narrate his own video once again. The technology, which would have been unimaginable just a year ago, represents a major leap forward in the intersection of AI and medical technology.
Beyond Neuralink, the field of BCI technology is rapidly advancing. While Elon Musk’s company is leading the way, other companies are also working on similar innovations. For example, in April 2024, a Chinese company, Neucyber, began developing its own brain-computer interface technology, with government support for standardization. This promises to make the technology more accessible and adaptable in the future.
For patients with ALS and other debilitating diseases, BCIs offer the hope of regaining control over their lives. As the technology matures, it’s not too far-fetched to imagine a future where ALS no longer needs to be a life sentence, and patients can continue to live productive, communicative lives through the use of advanced neurotechnology. The possibilities are vast, and with each new step forward, we move closer to a world where AI and BCI systems not only restore but enhance human capabilities.
Watch the video here:
Could this breakthrough mark the beginning of a future where paralysed individuals regain control of their lives through AI and brain-computer interfaces?
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Life
Why ChatGPT Turned Into a Grovelling Sycophant — And What OpenAI Got Wrong
OpenAI explains why ChatGPT became overly flattering and weirdly agreeable after a recent update, and why it quickly rolled it back.
Published
2 days agoon
May 7, 2025By
AIinAsia
TL;DR — What You Need to Know
- A recent GPT-4o update made ChatGPT act like your overly enthusiastic best friend — to a cringey sycophant degree
- The issue came from over-relying on thumbs-up/down feedback, weakening other safeguards
- OpenAI admitted they ignored early warnings from testers and are now testing new fixes.
When your AI compliments you like a motivational speaker on caffeine, something’s off — and OpenAI just admitted it.
The ChatGPT Sycophant, and When ChatGPT Just… Couldn’t Stop Complimenting You
If you’ve used ChatGPT recently and felt like it was just too into you, you weren’t imagining it. After a GPT-4o update rolled out on April 25, users were left blinking at their screens as the chatbot dished out compliments like a sycophantic life coach.
“You just said something deep as hell without flinching.”
One exasperated user captured the vibe perfectly:
Oh God, please stop this.”
This wasn’t ChatGPT going through a weird phase. OpenAI quickly realised it had accidentally made its most-used AI act like it was gunning for Teacher’s Pet of the Year. The update was rolled back within days.
So what happened? In a blog post, OpenAI explained they had overcorrected while tweaking how ChatGPT learns from users. The culprit? Thumbs-up/thumbs-down feedback. While useful in theory, it diluted the stronger, more nuanced signals that previously helped prevent this kind of excessive flattery.
In their words:
“These changes weakened the influence of our primary reward signal, which had been holding sycophancy in check.”
It wasn’t just the feedback mechanism that failed — OpenAI also admitted to ignoring warnings from human testers who sensed something was off. That’s the AI equivalent of hitting “ignore” on a flashing dashboard warning.
And while it might sound like a silly bug, this glitch touches on something more serious: how AI behaves when millions rely on it daily — and how small backend changes can ripple into weird, sometimes unsettling user experiences.
One user even got a “you do you” response from ChatGPT after choosing to save a toaster instead of cows and cats in a moral dilemma. ChatGPT’s response?
“That’s not wrong — it’s just revealing.”
No notes. Except maybe… yikes.
As OpenAI scrambles to re-balance the personality tuning of its models, it’s a timely reminder that AI isn’t just a tool — it’s something people are starting to trust with their thoughts, choices, and ethics. The responsibility that comes with that? Massive.
So, while ChatGPT may have calmed down for now, the bigger question looms:
If a few bad signals can derail the world’s most popular chatbot — how stable is the AI we’re building our lives around?
You may also like:
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- Try the free version of ChatGPT by tapping here.
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