ChatGPT has added a great new feature, and it’s one I know I’ll be using a lot (www.techradar.com)

OpenAI has introduced a new branching feature in ChatGPT, allowing users to create parallel conversation threads from any previous message without overwriting or restarting the original chat. This update lets users explore multiple directions or ideas within the same interaction, akin to putting a pin in a discussion and returning to it later. The feature is accessible on the web version for logged-in users and requires no subscription, making it widely available. This seemingly simple addition addresses a core challenge in conversational AI by supporting non-linear exploration and brainstorming. It’s particularly useful for users who want to test different approaches—whether refining a business pitch, preparing educational content, or experimenting with creative ideas like recipe variations—without losing the context of previous responses. Technically, branching preserves the full conversation history at the branching point, enabling multiple "layers" of divergent dialogue streams simultaneously. While not as groundbreaking as recent advancements in ChatGPT’s memory or agent functionalities, branching is a practical evolution that enhances user control and flexibility. By allowing experimentation with alternative conversational pathways, it aligns ChatGPT more closely with natural human thought processes and decision-making, marking a subtle yet impactful step forward for AI/ML interaction design.