OpenAI Launches GPT-5.1 with Enhanced Instruction Following and Adaptive Reasoning

OpenAI has announced the release of GPT-5.1, introducing two distinct models — Instant and Thinking — with significant improvements aimed at better instruction adherence and adaptive task handling.

What’s New

• GPT-5.1 Instant: Designed for everyday use (including the standard chat experience), this model features a warmer, more conversational tone and improved fidelity when following user instructions.
• GPT-5.1 Thinking: Built for complex workflows. This version adapts its processing time: for simple queries it’s approximately twice as fast as its predecessor, while for difficult tasks it takes more time to provide more thoughtful responses.
• Customization & Tone Options: Users now have additional personality style presets — such as “Professional,” “Candid,” and “Quirky” — alongside improved controls for response warmth, conciseness, and emoji usage. These personalization settings now apply immediately across ongoing conversations.

Roll-out & Availability

• The update is rolling out first to paid subscribers (Pro, Plus, Go, Business) and will then reach free and logged-out users.
• In India, users on the free tier will be able to access the GPT-5.1 Instant model once the rollout completes.
• Additionally, OpenAI has launched a special promotion in India: the subscription tier ChatGPT Go (which offers access to advanced features) is available free for 12 months for eligible users in India.
• While the free tier will eventually gain access, paid users are getting first access.

Why It Matters

• Better instruction-following: The update reduces the need for heavy prompt-engineering and minimizes off-topic or drifting responses.
• Adaptive reasoning: Simple tasks feel snappier, while the more complex ones benefit from deeper processing — this aligns the model’s effort more closely with task difficulty.
• Greater user control: With enhanced customization and tone settings, the models become more adaptable to individual preferences and professional contexts.
• India-specific access: The free-tier rollout and the 12-month Go-free promotion in India highlight how OpenAI is treating India as a major market in its global strategy.

Looking Ahead

OpenAI frames GPT-5.1 as a step toward “personalised AI” — systems that adapt to user preferences and task types. Further fine-grained tuning features (characteristics such as “scannability” and “emoji-frequency”) are set to roll out in the coming weeks.