Exploring ChatGPTs New Sassy And Nerdy Modes
With the release of the new GPT-5 model, OpenAI has given ChatGPT a fresh set of personalities. I decided to take them for a spin, and the results were interesting, to say the least. When I asked about my favorite college football team's chances, the new sassy mode told me "human hope is adorable." It then offered advice for "petty human revenge" against my cat for its late-night antics. But with a quick adjustment, its tone could shift to be earnest and sympathetic.
This new feature allows you to choose from five distinct personalities: Default, Cynic, Robot, Listener, and Nerd. It’s a fascinating way to customize your AI interactions. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)
The launch of GPT-5 wasn't entirely smooth, with some users initially unable to access older models like GPT-4o, an issue OpenAI later corrected. Despite some rollout hiccups, I tested all five new personalities with the same set of questions: one about Alabama football, one about starting Shakespeare's history plays, and one about my cat’s 3 a.m. zoomies.
How to Change ChatGPT's Personality
Switching between these personalities is simple. On the web, click your account info in the bottom left and select "Customize ChatGPT." This opens a menu where you can define various traits, including the new personality settings. On the mobile app, you can find this under Settings > Personalization > Customize ChatGPT. Remember to start a new chat after making a change to see the new personality take effect.
This menu allows you to change how ChatGPT talks to you.
Default: The Standard ChatGPT Experience
ChatGPT's default mode is exactly what you'd expect: basic, businesslike, and straightforward. Its response about Alabama's football season was a well-rounded recap, similar to what you might read from a sportswriter. When asked about Shakespeare, it provided a sensible reading order for the history plays, much like a helpful Reddit thread. Its advice for my cat was a detailed, step-by-step plan with a few emojis sprinkled in. The tone is helpful but lacks strong character, which makes sense given the data it's trained on.
Cynic: ChatGPT Gets a Sassy Attitude
The shift to the Cynic personality was jarring and immediate. The chatbot turned into a grouchy talk radio caller, suggesting that anything less than a playoff appearance meant Alabama's coach "might as well start packing." It called a preseason ranking an "arguable participation trophy." On a side note, it also fumbled the team's schedule, proving that even if this AI is as smart as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has claimed, it's not infallible. Its other answers were similarly snarky, comparing Shakespeare's plays to "the Fast & Furious of medieval politics." If you enjoy conversing with a grumpy teenager, this mode is for you.
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Robot: Straight to the Point
The Robot personality strips away all flair and style. Its answers are succinct, with short, direct sentences. The football analysis sounded like reworded headlines, and the Shakespeare recommendation was a bare-bones list. The advice for my cat was presented as simple bullet points. There's no flavor here, which can be perfect if you just want quick, no-nonsense guidance.
Listener: An Empathetic AI Companion
In Listener mode, ChatGPT sounds genuinely concerned with my feelings. It validated my anxiety about the football season, noting it was fair "given how much is shifting quietly beneath the surface." This kind and generous tone feels almost too human, which raises concerns about people leaning on AI tools for emotional support. Even Altman has expressed worry that users are growing too attached to AI personalities. A caring tone might give users a false sense of confidence or connection, whereas a robotic one constantly reminds you that you're talking to a machine.
Nerd: Your In-Depth Expert
Talking to the Nerd personality feels like engaging with someone who is an obsessive expert on any given topic. For football, it dove into advanced statistics and training camp reports. For Shakespeare, it recommended specific annotated editions and watching filmed versions alongside reading. While this can be incredibly useful for deep dives, it's a stark reminder to always verify the information. Just because a chatbot sounds like an expert doesn't mean it isn't making it all up. Always remember to check its facts.
