In a delightful nod to user preferences, OpenAI’s ChatGPT is evolving to offer greater control over its writing style. According to Sam Altman, the company’s CEO, the AI will now refrain from using em dashes—those elegant, elongated pauses (—)—if users simply request it. This update highlights OpenAI’s commitment to making artificial intelligence more adaptable and less prescriptive in its output.
Em dashes have long been a stylistic hallmark of ChatGPT’s responses. They add flair and rhythm, mimicking sophisticated prose often seen in literary works or editorial content. However, not everyone appreciates this flourish. Some users find the dashes disruptive, preferring cleaner punctuation like commas or parentheses. Complaints have surfaced on forums and social media, with writers and editors calling for options to tone down the AI’s “overly dramatic” tendencies.
Altman addressed this in a recent X (formerly Twitter) post, responding to a user’s query about the feature. “We’ll stop using them if you ask,” he wrote succinctly, underscoring the ease of customization. This isn’t a sweeping overhaul but a subtle tweak via prompt engineering. Users can instruct ChatGPT directly: “Write without em dashes” or integrate it into system prompts for consistent results. Early adopters report smoother, more professional outputs tailored to their needs—ironic, given the dash-free directive.
This change arrives amid broader discussions on AI personalization. OpenAI has been iterating on ChatGPT’s voice and tone, from formal to casual, to better serve diverse audiences. Experts view it as a step toward democratizing AI, where tools bend to human whims rather than imposing rigid formats. As generative AI permeates writing, education, and content creation, such granular controls could reduce friction and boost adoption.
Looking ahead, Altman hinted at more refinements. “We’re listening,” he added, signaling ongoing feedback loops. For content creators grappling with AI-assisted drafting, this em dash opt-out is a small but welcome victory. It reminds us that even in the realm of machine-generated text, the human touch—pardon the expression—remains paramount.
Whether you’re drafting emails, blog posts, or reports, experiment with ChatGPT’s new flexibility. Type your prompt, add the no-dashes rule, and watch the AI adapt. In an era of hyper-personalized tech, this update proves AI isn’t just smart—it’s increasingly considerate.
