OpenAI has addressed a longstanding issue with ChatGPT's use of em dashes. Users have criticized the frequent appearance of this punctuation mark, associating it with AI-generated text in various contexts like school papers, emails, and online comments. Critics argue that overuse reflects laziness, while some defenders claim the em dash has been a staple in writing long before AI's rise. The controversy highlights how a simple punctuation mark has become a marker of AI involvement, even if its presence isn’t a definitive sign of generative text. Before this update, ChatGPT struggled to comply with user requests to avoid using em dashes, leading to frustration among those who wanted more control over the chatbot’s output. Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, announced via a post on X that the issue has been resolved. Users can now instruct ChatGPT to avoid em dashes within their custom settings, ensuring that the tool aligns more closely with individual writing preferences. While the em dash might still appear by default, users now have the option to limit its use significantly based on their instructions. This change aims to enhance user experience and personal writing style.