How it works
Users type or speak prompts (ideas or questions) and the app replies. Its responses may not be factually correct. It is possible to group chat with up to 20 people, including chatting with the AI.
A user can personalise the app’s tone e.g. to be chatty or sarcastic. ‘Memory’ settings allow the app to remember information across conversations or learn from past chats. There are no paid-for adverts in the UK, but the app’s responses (including recommendations) can be informed by chat history, memories and location. Temporary Chat Mode (or using ChatGPT without logging in) prevents saving history or memories.
ChatGPT can perform tasks in other apps, like creating and playing a Spotify playlist. GPTs are small versions of the AI for specific tasks like tutoring. Shortening prompts and limiting images to reduces environmental impact.
Parental controls or safety settings available
Users can report harmful content. Teenage accounts have some default safety settings e.g. sensitive content filters.
Optional parental controls allow parents to link their account to their child’s (13-17) with the teenager’s agreement. This gives parents the ability to:
• Set usage times
• Disable voice chat, image generation, memories and group chat
• Prevent ChatGPT accessing the device’s precise location
• Adjust the content filters
• Stop their child’s data being used to train the AI
Parents cannot see their child’s chat history, but will be alerted if the app detects acute distress (e.g. talking about self-harm).
