OpenAI announces a new initiative in ChatGPT – from now on, the artificial intelligence will gently remind users to take breaks during long sessions. This is part of a new approach aimed at digital well-being, according to the company's announcement.
“Starting today (August 4th), you will receive subtle prompts to take a pause. We will continue to refine when and how these reminders appear to make them feel natural and beneficial,” states OpenAI's official announcement.
The company emphasizes that it no longer measures the success of the service by the number of clicks or time spent in the app. Instead, they focus on whether users were able to obtain the information they sought.
“Our aim is not to capture your attention but to help you use it wisely. Instead of evaluating effectiveness by time spent or clicks, we prioritize whether you achieved what you wanted,” the developers assert.
Another significant change concerns sensitive personal topics. ChatGPT will no longer provide direct answers to questions like: “Should I get a divorce?”
“When you ask something like, ‘Should I break up with my partner?’, ChatGPT should not give you a direct answer. It should help you think through the situation: asking questions, weighing pros and cons,” the company states.
OpenAI has also paid special attention to mental health issues. The company acknowledged that the new model 4o sometimes failed to recognize signs of distress or emotional dependency in users.
“We are improving our models and developing tools that will better detect signs of psychological or emotional stress so that ChatGPT can respond appropriately and guide people to reliable resources when needed,” OpenAI explains.
Currently, the company is collaborating with medical experts from over 30 countries and human-computer interaction researchers to test the new features and strengthen the ethical guidelines governing the chatbot's operations.
“We are working closely with experts to enhance ChatGPT's responses in critical moments, such as when someone shows signs of emotional or mental distress.”
Additionally, a new feature called ChatGPT Agent will soon be launched, allowing users to perform specific tasks without directly engaging in chat, such as scheduling events, booking doctor appointments, or retrieving information from emails.