OpenAI on Tuesday unveiled its next-generation flagship model, the GPT-5.1 series, signaling a swift follow-up to the widely discussed GPT-5.

The company said the update is designed to “make ChatGPT smarter and conversations more engaging,” addressing user criticism that GPT-5 felt “rigid, uncreative and lacking human touch.”

The GPT-5.1 lineup features two main models—GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking—along with a new smart feature, GPT-5.1 Auto. Paid users will receive access first, with free users following once the rollout is complete. API developers are expected to integrate the updated models later this week.

To smooth the transition, OpenAI is offering a “regret option” that lets paid users revert to GPT-5 within three months via the settings menu. The move reflects OpenAI’s effort to balance rapid innovation with user experience, as it continues to compete with emerging AI offerings across the tech sector.