OpenAI has released GPT-5.1, a significant upgrade to its flagship model series designed to make ChatGPT both smarter and more conversational.
This update, which focuses on user feedback that AI should be more "enjoyable to talk to," introduces two upgraded models. The first is GPT-5.1 Instant, the most-used version, which is now described as "warmer" and better at following instructions. The second, GPT-5.1 Thinking, is the advanced reasoning version, which now adapts its speed, responding faster to simple queries while spending more time on complex ones, and uses a clearer, more empathetic tone.
Alongside these models, OpenAI is adding new tone presets like "Professional," "Candid," and "Quirky" to make customization easier.
What does GPT-5.1 mean for you? I got the answer from SmarterX and Marketing AI Institute founder and CEO Paul Roetzer on Episode 180 of The Artificial Intelligence Show.
First, it’s important to understand what this update is and isn't. This isn't a massive, from-scratch model.
"My understanding is it's the same core model," says Roetzer. "They've just done some tuning to it, and specifically in coding, math, reasoning, and personality."
"It's not like they've retrained a full blown model and then released it," he adds.
It’s an iterative 0.1 update, not a full-blown GPT-6.
The key theme of this release is unquestionably personality. The new models and tone presets all point to a strategic focus on the feel of the AI, aiming to make it "warmer," "more conversational," and "more empathetic."
This is a deliberate move.
"Sam Altman in particular has been very direct that this is one of the things they see as being essential for future AI assistance," says Roetzer.
The goal is to move beyond a "one-size-fits-all" model, as OpenAI's Fidji Simo noted about the release in an article on Substack.
OpenAI also released a new prompting guide for developers, which Roetzer points to as further evidence of this focus. It helps users "realize how much goes into the personality of these things with just your direction," he says.
The timing and style of the release also jumped out to Roetzer.
He noted that OpenAI seems to be intentionally downplaying this release, a shift in strategy from previous, highly-hyped launches. This may be an attempt to manage user expectations.
“They found that they get crushed when they make a big release and then people are like, oh, it's not as significant a change. So now they're basically just low balling everybody."
While the models are being tuned for personality, Roetzer notes that many users, like him, are primarily focused on utility.
"I have very specific things I'm trying to do and I'm trying to do them very efficiently," he says. "I also don't talk to it like a companion. I just want it to answer questions."
So, how can you tell if the update is meaningful for your work?
Rather than relying on benchmarks, test your own go-to prompts and see if you notice a difference.
"Have your standard use cases," Roetzer advises. "Have the thing you do each time. Go into the new model and do that thing again."
He suggests the key areas to watch for improvement are writing, personality, coding, and human-like reasoning.
The GPT-5.1 update is a signal that the race for AI dominance isn't just about raw intelligence, but also about user experience, customization, and personality.
As these tools become more integrated into our daily lives, making them enjoyable and adaptable to individual users is becoming a key competitive advantage.