OpenAI’s latest voice mode, Monday, is grumpy and sarcastic. Maybe it’s somewhat like we feel with the Monday blues. But is it a clever new feature to make mornings more fun or just a novelty that will wear off?
What Is ChatGPT’s Monday Voice Mode?
April Fool’s Day (April 1st, 2025) introduced us to a new voice on ChatGPT called Monday. At first, I thought it would have the personality of a motivational guru egging me on to face the day.
But Monday is irreverently snarky, sarcastic, and often bored. I asked it for a morning pep talk, and the voice drawled back: “Drag yourself out of bed and remember the world is waiting to drain the life out of you!”
The voice and vibe are as sluggish as any of us feels without that shot of cappuccino. The voice stays sassy, whatever you ask it. Like all ChatGPT responses, it will sometimes use whatever you have fed the chatbot over time for its retorts. It gives good answers, but in that snide voice!
Voices are one of the best features to try in ChatGPT, and the Monday voice is a novel take.
How to Access ChatGPT’s Monday Voice
All ChatGPT Free and Plus users can access Monday. But slightly differently.
ChatGPT Plus users can use the Advanced voice mode to chat with it. Head into Settings and set it up as the default voice when you want to talk, or select it from the sidebar directly.
If you’re using a free ChatGPT account, you’ll have limited monthly Advanced Voice Mode interactions but can still select Monday.
A Fun Feature or a Ploy to Humanize AI?
At first glance, Monday sounds like an April Fool’s prank that you shouldn’t take too seriously. But the more you use it, the more it feels like OpenAI is experimenting with voices that are closer to our emotions. Remember the seasonal Santa’s Voice released by OpenAI during Christmas? That was clearly a gimmick, but Monday feels different.
Like all other voices, OpenAI’s developing voice tech feels more natural for back-and-forth conversations. Monday isn’t any different, with a tone that feels a little too human for comfort.
But do remember, you will get back what you feed into it. Push it further, and its negativity can start feeling toxic. Use it right, and you can have fun with it.
I tried it for a whole week, making Monday my go-to voice assistant. The experience was funny and fresh, breaking through the humdrum. It felt like I had a digital coworker with a hangover. Think of it like a Ron Swanson to your Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation—grouchy but oddly grounding.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen tech companies play with personality. Alexa has its Celebrity Voices. Samsung’s Bixby once tried a sassy voice. Elon Musk’s Grok AI has an “Unhinged Mode” that delivers brash takes. Even in the pre-AI age, Clippy from Microsoft Word was our favorite helper with a bit too much personality.
The difference? Monday Voice feels it’s not trying to win a popularity contest. It’s a character of its own. It adds emotional texture to conversations. I even felt it was changing its pace and tone with our conversations. In the age of AI assistants trying too hard to be politically correct, Monday’s bluntness is a bit eerie but refreshing.
Is it just a gimmick? Maybe. But then, it could also be a clever way to test the boundaries of our interaction with AI voices. AI doesn’t have to be emotionless. Sometimes, you only need a sarcastic push to cut through your cluttered thoughts.
Tips and Tricks for Using the Monday Voice
If you want to play around with Monday, here are a few ideas:
- Monday shines in short, back-and-forth chats. It’s great for morning reminders, quick advice, and sarcastic banter.
- Try spicing up your usual prompts. For instance, “What’s the best way to start my week?” or “Give me a to-do list that won’t make me cry.” You’ll get answers and also a laugh.
- The Monday Voice is brazenly negative. I suggest you avoid using it if you aren’t in the right mood.
- If Monday doesn’t suit you by Wednesday, you can swap it out any time from the voice picker menu.
- As it’s sarcastic, create your own roasts and standup routines, and have fun (ask ChatGPT a few fun questions about yourself).
Monday voice uses the new faster voice interaction system. You might not see if you haven’t updated your ChatGPT app recently. Ensure you’re on the latest version, as these voices interrupt you less and feel more engaging. You can even pause and gather your thoughts as you speak with it.
If the usual AI assistants are upbeat but robotic valets taking care of your luggage, Monday is your friend with the hangover. We need both in our digital lives.
Monday Voice could be the first of many character-driven AI chatbots. A little spice isn’t a bad thing to make them sound less phony.
It might not suit everyone and every task. If you want pure efficiency or even gentle motivation, Monday won’t be your first choice. Not even on a Monday morning. But you might enjoy what it brings to the table when sitting with friends.
