ECNETNews reports that OpenAI is set to launch GPT-5 within months, consolidating its AI models into a more cohesive product lineup, as announced by CEO Sam Altman on February 12.
In a recent update, Altman expressed the company’s intent to enhance transparency around its roadmap and simplify its product offerings. The upcoming GPT-4.5 will be the final version of the non-chain-of-thought models, while the advanced reasoning capabilities from the latest o3 model will be integrated into GPT-5.
The anticipated release for GPT-4.5 is just weeks away, with GPT-5 expected to follow shortly after, according to Altman’s comments regarding timelines.
OpenAI’s dominance in the AI sector has faced challenges from the emergence of alternative models, notably from DeepSeek. The new reasoning model R1 from the Chinese company is reported to have been developed at a significantly lower cost and is available free of charge as a chatbot, as well as offering more affordable API access. This competitive landscape has raised questions about the viability of OpenAI’s business strategy as AI models become more accessible and cost-effective.
Altman’s recent announcements suggest a strategic shift within the company. Instead of charging $200 per month for exclusive or prior access to certain model features through its Pro plan, OpenAI aims to maximize product accessibility to outpace competitors and enhance user satisfaction.
“Our primary objective is to unify our o-series and GPT-series models by developing systems that can utilize all our tools, determine when to engage in deep reasoning, and cater to a wide array of tasks,” Altman stated. This indicates that o3 will not be launched as a standalone model, but rather as an integrated feature within GPT-5 to improve accuracy and problem-solving capabilities.
GPT-5 is also set to introduce features like voice mode, canvas, search, and deep research capabilities, allowing the chatbot to adapt intuitively to user needs without switching between different models and features.
Furthermore, GPT-5 will be accessible to users of the free ChatGPT tier, with Plus and Pro subscribers gaining access to a “higher level of intelligence” in GPT-5, while Pro subscribers will enjoy the most advanced iteration available.
