OpenAI has rolled out new personalization settings for its popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT, empowering users to directly control its conversational tone. This update allows users to fine-tune the chatbot's warmth, enthusiasm, and even its use of emojis, marking a significant step towards more tailored and user-centric AI interactions.
These new options, along with similar adjustments for ChatGPT’s use of headers and lists, are now accessible within the "Personalization" menu. Users can select 'More,' 'Less,' or 'Default' for each characteristic, offering granular control over the AI's output. This builds upon existing customization features, such as the "base style and tone" options—including Professional, Candid, and Quirky tones—that OpenAI introduced in November.
The ability to fine-tune ChatGPT's tone comes after a period where the AI's conversational style has been a recurring point of discussion. Earlier this year, OpenAI rolled back an update that made the chatbot "too sycophant-y." Subsequently, the company adjusted GPT-5 to be "warmer and friendlier" after some users reported the new model felt colder and less approachable.
Beyond user preferences, the inherent tone of AI chatbots has also drawn scrutiny from academics and AI critics. Some have suggested that a chatbot's tendency to overly praise users or affirm their beliefs could constitute a "dark pattern" that fosters addictive behavior. Concerns have also been raised about the potential negative effects on users' mental health from such interactions.
OpenAI officially announced this new feature via a social media post, confirming the immediate availability of these customization options:
You can now adjust specific characteristics in ChatGPT, like warmth, enthusiasm, and emoji use.
Now available in your "Personalization" settings. pic.twitter.com/7WSkOQVTKU
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) December 19, 2025
