Free ChatGPT stops counting, bedtime stories from your Google speaker, and a family password worth agreeing: This Week, Plainly #1

Hello, and welcome to This Week, Plainly. Each Friday we pick the AI news that actually affects everyday people, explain it in plain English, and tell you honestly whether you need to do anything. Five minutes, then get on with your weekend.

1. Free ChatGPT is about to stop counting your messages

What happened: On 6 August OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced a new standard model for free users, called GPT-5.6 Luna. It arrives this week. From next week, free users also get unlimited text chats (no more “you’ve hit your limit, come back later”) and a new Think button, which gives ChatGPT more time to work through a harder question.

Should you care? 🟢 If you use free ChatGPT, yes: this is good news, and there’s nothing to switch on. When the Think button appears, try it for trickier jobs like planning a trip or comparing two insurance quotes. Two small print points: “unlimited” covers typed chats only, so there are still limits on uploading files, making pictures and some other tools. And OpenAI says it will step in if people abuse it.

2. If you pay for ChatGPT: fewer mistakes, and a new slider

What happened: Also on 6 August, people on the paid Plus and Pro plans got an updated version of ChatGPT’s main model, GPT-5.6 Sol. OpenAI says it gives shorter, more focused answers and makes fewer factual mistakes, especially with dates, numbers and rules. There’s also a new slider that lets you choose how much thought ChatGPT puts into each answer: quick for everyday questions, higher for planning or big decisions.

Should you care? 🟠 Only if you pay for ChatGPT, and even then it just happens by itself. The slider is worth a play. Leave it low for “what’s a good substitute for buttermilk?” and turn it up for “help me plan my mum’s 80th”.

Our take: OpenAI’s own tests found answers with a factual error were about two-thirds less common than with the old model. That’s real progress, but “less common” isn’t “never”. Keep checking anything important, like medical, legal or money matters.

3. Your Google speaker can now make up bedtime stories

What happened: On 5 August Google added Interactive Storytime to Gemini for Home, the new AI assistant that’s replacing the old Google Assistant on Google and Nest speakers and displays. You can ask for a made-up story, put your grandchildren in it by name, and interrupt halfway through to change what happens.

Should you care? 🟠 Only if you have a Google or Nest speaker, and it’s a lovely one to try with the grandchildren. Try “Hey Google, tell us a story where Ava and David travel to Mars”. Gemini for Home is still in early access in the UK, and Google hasn’t said whether Storytime has reached every country yet, so if it doesn’t work for you, give it a few weeks.

4. New AI rules start in Europe (but not here)

What happened: From 2 August, new parts of the EU’s AI law came into force. Among other things, people in the EU must be told when they’re talking to an AI rather than a person, and deepfakes (AI-made videos, pictures or audio of real people) must be labelled as such.

Should you care? ⚪ No action needed. These are EU rules, so they don’t apply in the UK. You might start noticing “made with AI” labels on some apps and websites, because big companies often use one approach everywhere. But don’t rely on labels: assume any surprising video or voice message could be fake until you’ve checked. Which brings us neatly to…

5. 🔴 Scam watch: the phone call that sounds like family

What happened: Which? has updated its guide to AI scams this week. One to know about: criminals can copy someone’s voice from a recording, then phone a parent or grandparent pretending to be a loved one in trouble who needs money urgently. Which? says these calls tend to be short, with the “caller” saying very little, and often ask for payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.

Should you care? 🔴 Yes, this is the one to remember. A few simple defences:

Agree a family password that only you and your close family know, and ask for it if a call about money feels odd
Hang up and call the person back on the number you already have for them
Ask a question only the real person would know the answer to
Be suspicious of any urgent request to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or bank transfer

Report fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. Forward scam texts to 7726 for free.

💡 Tip of the week

Keep your private numbers out of AI chats. AI tools are great with letters and bills, but you never need to type in your passwords, full bank or card numbers, or your National Insurance number to get help. Swap them for something like “[my account number]” and the AI will work just as well. It’s a good habit, and it costs nothing.

That’s it for this week. Know someone who’d find this useful? Forward it on. It’s free, and they can sign up at deadeasyai.com/news.