Hibiscus Coast residents can now try ChatGPT group chats as OpenAI rolls out a new shared conversation feature in New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Logged in users on Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans can invite up to 20 people into one chat, then plan a group dinner, compare ideas for a weekend away, or settle a friendly debate with ChatGPT helping in the background.

For local clubs, committees and small businesses, it could help plan events, draft posts or sort through options while ChatGPT summarises links, notes and questions everyone shares.

The feature is starting to roll out this week, so some Hibiscus Coast users may see the option before others.

To check, open ChatGPT on the web or app and look for a small people icon in the top right of any chat.

Group chats live in a clearly labelled section, stay separate from your private conversations, and do not use your personal ChatGPT memory.

You choose who joins, you can leave at any time, and parents can switch group chats off for under 18s.

ChatGPT follows the flow of the conversation, only replying when needed, and can still search, generate images and work with files.

Coasties can expect more shared tools as OpenAI listens to early feedback and updates the pilot over time.

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