ChatGPT's new customization feature could save users a lot of time

Enlarge / An AI-generated image of a chatbot in front of library shelves. Benj Edwards / Stable Broadcast

On Thursday, OpenAI announced a new beta feature for ChatGPT that allows users to provide personalized instructions for the chatbot to consider with each submission. The goal is to prevent users from having to repeat common instructions between chat sessions.

The feature is currently available in beta for ChatGPT Plus subscription members, but OpenAI says it will expand availability to all users in the coming weeks. As of this writing, the feature is not yet available in the UK and EU.

The custom instructions feature allows users to define their individual preferences or requirements which the AI ​​model will then take into account when generating responses. Instead of restarting each conversation, ChatGPT can now be instructed to remember specific user preferences across multiple interactions.

In its introductory blog post, OpenAI gave examples of how someone could use the new feature: "For example, a teacher who is developing a lesson plan no longer has to repeat that he teaches science in 3rd grade. A developer prefers efficient code in a language that is not Python, he can say it once, and it is understood. Grocery shopping for a large family becomes easier, the model representing 6 portions in the shopping list."

Enlarge / For now, custom instructions can be found in the Settings > Beta Features menu. If you don't see the option, your account or region doesn't support it yet. Ars-Technica

If you want to try it, you'll have to dig into the settings. ChatGPT web users should click on their name in the lower left corner, navigate to "Settings", then "Beta Features", and click the switch next to "Custom Instructions". A new "Custom Instructions" option will appear in the menu in the future. For those using iOS, tap "Settings", then "New Features", and toggle "Custom Instructions" to the on position.

If you don't see the option in your ChatGPT settings, that means your account region hasn't been granted access to the feature yet.

After enabling the custom instructions feature and clicking on its option in settings, you will see two text input fields: one asks what ChatGPT should know about you, and the other asks: "How would you like ChatGPT to answer?"

Enlarge / A screenshot of two "Custom Instructions" input fields in the web version of ChatGPT. Ars-Technica