OpenAI is expanding access to ChatGPT by removing limits on text-based conversations for free users, giving millions of people the ability to use the service more extensively without subscribing to a paid plan.
The change is part of a broader update to ChatGPT announced in August, as OpenAI seeks to make its latest artificial intelligence capabilities available to a much larger audience.
The company says ChatGPT now has more than one billion weekly users, underlining the scale of the platform and the growing importance of free access in the competitive AI market.
GPT-5.6 Luna becomes the default
As part of the update, GPT-5.6 Luna is becoming the default model for Free and Go users.
The model is designed to handle everyday conversations, questions and other text-based tasks while giving free users broader access than before.
OpenAI is also introducing a new Think option for more difficult questions. The feature allows users to give the model additional time to work through problems that require deeper reasoning.
The expansion is subject to safeguards designed to prevent abuse and misuse of the service.
Limits remain for other features
Although text conversations are becoming unlimited for eligible free users, OpenAI is not removing all usage restrictions.
Limits will continue to apply to features such as file uploads, image generation and other tools.
That distinction allows OpenAI to offer substantially greater access to basic conversations while continuing to manage the higher computing costs associated with more resource-intensive features.
For many users, however, the change could significantly alter how they use ChatGPT, particularly for routine questions, writing assistance, research and everyday problem-solving.
A major shift in the free AI market
The move comes as competition among major AI companies continues to intensify.
AI providers are increasingly trying to attract users by offering more capable models at little or no direct cost. Free access can help companies build large user communities while encouraging people to become familiar with their products and potentially upgrade to paid services for advanced capabilities.
OpenAI’s decision therefore represents both a product expansion and a strategic move in the rapidly developing AI market.
The company is betting that broader access will strengthen ChatGPT’s position as AI becomes a routine part of people’s digital lives.
Balancing access and computing costs
Providing unlimited text conversations to a huge global audience presents a significant technical challenge.
Every interaction requires computing resources, and demand can rise rapidly when a popular AI service removes usage restrictions.
OpenAI’s approach appears to distinguish between ordinary text conversations and more demanding capabilities. By keeping restrictions on resource-intensive tools, the company can expand basic access while maintaining greater control over its overall computing requirements.
The strategy could also help the company understand how people use AI when limits are less restrictive.
More users, more competition
The expansion comes at a time when AI companies are competing not only on model intelligence but also on accessibility.
Users increasingly expect AI assistants to be available whenever they need them, whether for education, writing, coding, research or general information.
Removing text-chat limits could make ChatGPT more attractive to people who use AI frequently but do not want to pay for a subscription.
At the same time, paid plans retain advantages through access to additional models, features and higher-capability tools.
OpenAI pushes toward wider AI adoption
The latest update reflects OpenAI’s broader effort to make advanced artificial intelligence available to a much larger portion of the population.
For free users, the combination of GPT-5.6 Luna, expanded text access and the new Think feature represents a substantial increase in what can be done without paying for a subscription.
The company will still need to manage computing demand, prevent abuse and maintain service quality as usage grows.
But with ChatGPT already reaching more than a billion weekly users, expanding unlimited text conversations could further accelerate the adoption of AI assistants and strengthen OpenAI’s position in an increasingly crowded market.
