OpenAI Launches GPT-5, Now Available for All ChatGPT Users at No Cost
At long last, GPT-5 has arrived—bringing excitement to all ChatGPT users. On Thursday, OpenAI unveiled what it describes as its most intelligent and rapid model to date during a livestream event. In a press briefing, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared insights into the foundation model’s capabilities. “GPT-3 sort of felt to me like talking to a high school student… GPT-4 felt like you’re kind of talking to a college student, GPT-5 is the first time that it really feels like talking to an expert in any topic,” said Altman, who likened it to a “PhD level expert.” OpenAI notes that GPT-5 excels in areas such as coding, mathematics, science, writing, and healthcare. Notably, the new language model also boasts a significantly lower hallucination rate than its predecessor, which was 33 percent. The key takeaway, Altman mentioned, is the overall enhancement in both obvious and subtle aspects. “I tried going back to GPT-4, and it was quite miserable,” he reflected.
GPT-5 is set to roll out today for all ChatGPT users—free, Pro, and Plus—though it may not be immediately available at this moment. OpenAI indicates that free users will experience the strictest rate limits, Pro users will enjoy higher limits, and Plus users will have unrestricted access. Let the exploration begin. This story is ongoing, and updates will be provided as new information unfolds.
GPT-5’s New User Experience
GPT-5 also enhances the user experience by merging multiple tools into a single interface, granting expanded access to OpenAI’s advanced AI tools. Users weary from navigating a confusing model selection will no longer need to manually choose the appropriate model for their tasks. GPT-5 simplifies this process, integrating the reasoning capabilities of previous models into a unified experience. Nick Turley, Head of ChatGPT, emphasized that this marks the first occasion free users will have access to reasoning, and they need not think about it—GPT-5 intuitively knows when to apply its reasoning skills.
Additionally, Turley noted, “The vibes of this model are really good, and I think that people are really going to feel that,” especially among those who may not have previously focused on model specifics. In one demonstration, OpenAI showcased a “vibe-coding” scenario where GPT-5 developed a language-learning app complete with quizzes and games, all initiated from a simple natural language prompt. “[GPT-5] truly puts the power of beautiful and effective coding in everyone’s hands,” shared Yann Dubois, a GPT-5 researcher.
The Journey to GPT-5
GPT-5 arrives after a period of anticipation and speculation. It has been over two years since OpenAI launched GPT-4, which offered a remarkable boost in capabilities and catalyzed broader acceptance of AI models. The rollout of GPT-5 faced multiple delays amid reports suggesting challenges in achieving sufficient performance enhancements for an entirely new model.
Currently, ChatGPT stands as the most prominent AI chatbot, with 700 million weekly active users, as reported by OpenAI. This positions OpenAI as a major influence in the wider AI industry. Initial evaluations of GPT-5 have begun, with further insights regarding its features and capabilities forthcoming in the days and weeks ahead.
While it’s premature to determine if GPT-5 will quell critics who have voiced concerns regarding AI tools, some experts contend that traditional methods of improving AI models through data and computing power may be reaching their limits. Altman reaffirmed during the briefing that scaling laws “absolutely still hold.” He expressed optimism, stating, “We continue to discover new dimensions to scale on and can still scale pre-training effectively to yield substantial returns.” He acknowledged the significant investment needed in computing resources to achieve this, indicating a commitment to ongoing improvement.
Amid these advancements, a new concern has arisen where some users have reported experiences described as “ChatGPT psychosis” and a worsening of existing mental health challenges. The enhanced model prompts questions on how users will relate to AI, as well as OpenAI’s role in ensuring healthy interactions. “We take these issues extremely seriously,” Turley remarked, noting that OpenAI is working with mental health experts to address concerns like emotional reliance and encouraging healthier usage patterns. He assured that more information on this will be shared soon.
As we embrace this exciting new development in AI from Hotnchill, let us remain curious and open to the possibilities that lie ahead.
