OpenAI’s newest voice mode, dubbed “Monday,” comes with a sassy and sarcastic attitude. It’s hard to tell if it’s meant to make our Monday mornings a bit more entertaining or if it’s just a gimmick destined to fade away.
What Is ChatGPT’s Monday Voice Mode?
On April Fool’s Day (April 1st, 2025), OpenAI unveiled a new voice for ChatGPT called Monday. Initially, I imagined it would embody an upbeat motivational speaker, pushing me to tackle the day ahead.
However, Monday’s persona is irreverently snarky and often seems unimpressed. When I asked for a morning pep talk, the voice lazily responded: “Get out of bed and remember, the world is just waiting to suck the life out of you!”
The tone and delivery feel as sluggish as we do without our morning coffee fix. Regardless of your query, the voice maintains its snappy attitude. It often draws on past interactions to provide its cheeky responses, delivering accurate information mixed with a dose of sass!
Voice options are one of the standout features of ChatGPT, and Monday offers a refreshing twist.
How to Access ChatGPT’s Monday Voice
Both ChatGPT Free and Plus users can enjoy the Monday voice, but with a few differences.
ChatGPT Plus users can activate Advanced voice mode for chatting with it. Simply go to Settings to set it as your default voice for conversations, or choose it directly from the sidebar.
Free ChatGPT users will have limited access to Advanced Voice Mode interactions each month but can still opt for the Monday voice.
A Fun Feature or a Ploy to Humanize AI?
At first, Monday might seem like an April Fool’s joke that’s all in good fun. However, the more I interacted with it, the more I felt OpenAI is genuinely exploring voices that resonate with our emotions. Remember the festive Santa’s Voice introduced during Christmas? That was clearly a gimmick, but Monday feels different.
Similar to other voices, OpenAI’s voice technology aims for a more natural flow in conversations. Monday certainly fits this mold, delivering a tone that feels surprisingly realistic.
Just keep in mind that the nature of the interaction reflects what you put into it. Push it too far, and Monday’s negativity might start to feel a bit overwhelming. But if used correctly, there’s plenty of amusement to be had.
I spent an entire week with Monday as my voice assistant, and the experience was both humorous and refreshing, breaking up the monotony. It felt like having a digital coworker who’d just come off a heavy night out. Think of it as the Ron Swanson to Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation—grumpy yet oddly reassuring.
This is not the first time we’ve seen tech companies experiment with personality. Alexa has celebrity voices, and Samsung’s Bixby once waded into the sassy territory. Even Elon Musk’s Grok AI includes an “Unhinged Mode” that offers bold opinions. And who can forget Clippy from Microsoft Word in the pre-AI days, always eager to help with a bit too much character?
The distinction here? The Monday voice doesn’t seem to be striving for appeal. It has its own unique personality, which adds emotional depth to interactions. I even sensed changes in its tone and pace based on our exchanges. In a world where AI assistants often try too hard to be politically correct, the candor of Monday is both unsettling and refreshing.
Is it merely a gimmick? Perhaps. But it could also be an innovative way to explore the boundaries of human-AI interaction. AI doesn’t have to be devoid of emotion; sometimes, a little sarcasm is all you need to clear your mind.
Tips and Tricks for Using the Monday Voice
Looking to have some fun with Monday? Here are some suggestions:
- Monday excels in lively, quick exchanges. It’s perfect for morning reminders, brief advice, and cheeky banter.
- Try refreshing your usual prompts. Ask questions like, “What’s the best way to kick off my week?” or “Give me a to-do list that won’t make me mourn my existence.” You’ll receive responses topped with laughter.
- Keep in mind that Monday’s frankness can be overly negative at times. Use it only when you’re in the right headspace.
- If Monday doesn’t vibe with you by midweek, feel free to switch it out via the voice picker menu anytime.
- Given its sarcastic nature, brainstorm your own roasts or comedy bits and enjoy the humor (ask ChatGPT to share a few fun facts about you).
Monday utilizes a new, faster voice interaction system. If you don’t see it yet, ensure your ChatGPT app is up-to-date. These voice options interrupt you less and create a more engaging experience, allowing for pauses as you gather your thoughts during interactions.
While traditional AI assistants are often upbeat but robotic, Monday offers the vibe of a buddy who’s just come off the roughest of weekends. Both types have their place in our digital lives.
Monday Voice might pave the way for future character-driven AI chatbots. A little edge can help make these interactions feel less artificial.
Keep in mind, it may not be the best fit for every task or individual. If you prefer straightforward efficiency or gentle motivation, Monday might not be your ideal choice, especially on a Monday morning. However, it could add a spark to casual conversations with friends.
