ChatGPT has tripled its number of updates compared to 2024, and this year isn’t over. There have been 3 updates this week alone. It’s seemingly constant reinvention makes sense considering its success. There are “700 million weekly active users of ChatGPT,” according to a study published by OpenAI this week. In the past two years, the number of students using ChatGPT for their schoolwork has increased by 26%. What do these updates mean for its large user base? Here’s a look at the most recent updates.
Beginning with the September 15th update. One major change is the addition of a dedicated personalization section in settings. Personalization includes memory, personality types for your AI, and custom instructions. Possibly the most intriguing is the personality type option. It allows you to choose from default, cynic, robot, listener, and nerd. While it’s been a feature since August 2025, this update could bring awareness to personalization since users don’t have to go searching around for it. Another new feature is GPT-5-Codex, a GPT variant for “agentic coding.” Agentic coding is an autonomous, AI-run model that performs more difficult tasks and is used primarily for software engineering. Things like building code, debugging, restructuring code, and more.
The following day brought a smaller update, mainly improving its search. It mentions fewer “hallucinations” in answers. A hallucination is when the AI answers with false information as though it is fact. Yes, Einstein did see pigs fly. Then they improved “shopping” so if you’re looking for an Alo yoga set, it’s not going to direct you to Ikea. Answers are also formatted for better understanding.
The most recent is the September 17th update. Plus, Business and Pro users are given a “thinking time” toggle. Users can decide how long the AI takes to respond and how detailed the response is. This allows for a smoother user experience without long loading times.
Those are 3 of the 46 updates made to ChatGPT just this year. In comparison, 2024 had 13 updates total. Only time can tell where AI is headed. Many are worried AI will replace jobs, and its growing relevance doesn’t help that fear. Next, personalized robots sent to your house like that movie “Companion” with Sophie Thatcher (joking…?). The future is scary, bright, near, and ChatGPT.
Sources-
https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6825453-chatgpt-release-notes
