OpenAI Adds Direct Controls for ChatGPT's Enthusiasm and Warmth
OpenAI now allows users to directly adjust ChatGPT's enthusiasm, warmth, and emoji usage through a new settings menu. This update lets you customize the AI's personality for professional or casual use without needing complex prompt engineering.
OpenAI has introduced a new set of personalization features that allow users to fine-tune ChatGPT’s personality without writing complex prompts. As of (December 20, 2025), users can directly adjust the AI’s enthusiasm, warmth, and emoji usage through simple settings menus.
This update marks a significant shift from "prompt engineering," where users had to manually tell the AI to "act professional" or "be friendly," to a more intuitive, system-level preference that persists across all conversations.
How the New Controls Work
The new features are located within the Personalization section of the ChatGPT settings. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, users can now toggle specific traits to match their needs. According to recent reports, the controls include:
- Enthusiasm: Adjusts the energy level of responses. Users can set this to "More" for high-energy brainstorming or "Less" for direct, objective answers.
- Warmth: Controls how friendly and approachable the AI sounds. A "Less" setting is ideal for professional, fact-based work, while "More" suits casual or supportive interactions.
- Emoji Use: A dedicated slider to determine how frequently, if ever, ChatGPT uses emojis in its replies.
These preferences are persistent, meaning they apply to every new chat automatically until changed Data Studios.
Moving Beyond Custom Instructions
Before this update, users relied heavily on "Custom Instructions" to mold ChatGPT’s behavior. While powerful, that feature required users to draft specific text descriptions of how they wanted the AI to act.
The new interface simplifies this process by turning abstract personality traits into tangible switches. This is particularly useful for business users who need a consistent, professional tone without constantly reminding the AI to avoid slang or excessive cheerfulness MLQ.ai.
Why Tone Matters
The ability to dampen ChatGPT's enthusiasm has been a frequent request from professional users. In serious contexts, such as coding, data analysis, or corporate drafting, the AI’s default "cheerleader" persona could sometimes feel distracting or inappropriate.
Conversely, creative writers and users seeking a conversational partner often prefer a more vibrant and expressive style. By handing these controls directly to the user, OpenAI is acknowledging that a single "helpful" personality cannot suit every use case.
The feature began rolling out to users on (December 20, 2025). It is available alongside other recent personalization tools, such as ChatGPT Canvas, which focuses on writing and coding projects OpenAI Help Center.
