Introduction to GPT-5 and Its Implications
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has launched a new version of its AI technology called GPT-5. This update promises improved performance on tasks such as answering health-related questions, generating text, and writing computer code. With over 700 million weekly users, ChatGPT has become a widely used tool for both personal and professional purposes. OpenAI has consistently emphasized the rapid advancements in its technology, suggesting it is moving closer to matching or surpassing human capabilities in various tasks.
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However, during a news briefing before the release of GPT-5, executives clarified that the system does not yet reach that level of proficiency. In a live-streamed demo, GPT-5 demonstrated that it can still make errors. For instance, when asked to explain the Bernoulli effect in relation to airplane wings, it provided a common but incorrect explanation.
Access and Pricing for GPT-5
All ChatGPT users will have access to GPT-5, including those on the free version. However, only subscribers with a $200-per-month “Pro” plan will enjoy unlimited access to the new model. GPT-5 will be the default setting across all versions of ChatGPT. Users who do not pay for ChatGPT will be limited in the number of questions they can ask that are answered by GPT-5 before the chatbot reverts to an older version of OpenAI’s technology.
Enhancements in GPT-5
According to OpenAI executives, GPT-5 responds to questions faster than previous models and is less likely to “hallucinate” or fabricate answers. Nick Turley, who leads work on the chatbot, described GPT-5 as having “better taste” when generating written content. The new AI software also features a reasoning process that breaks down complex queries into steps before providing a final answer. This feature allows users to see a series of messages that resemble an internal monologue, making the interaction feel more like a conversation with an expert.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, highlighted GPT-5’s strength in generating computer programming code, a feature that has become a major selling point for OpenAI and other AI developers. In a demo, GPT-5 was able to create a simple website offering French tutoring, complete with a word game and daily vocabulary tests, using just two paragraphs of instruction.
Altman predicted that individuals without computer science training could soon generate any software they need, transforming how people approach their work and daily tasks. He described this concept as “software on demand,” which he believes will define the GPT-5 era.
Human Connection and New Features
Turley claimed that the upgrade made ChatGPT better at connecting with users, describing the experience as feeling more human. During a live stream, OpenAI executives announced that ChatGPT users can now connect the app with their Google calendars and email accounts, allowing the chatbot to assist with scheduling activities based on existing plans.
Understanding AI Reasoning
GPT-5 introduces a new form of interaction where the AI attempts to work through a user’s request step-by-step before providing a final answer. This “reasoning” process has gained popularity among AI companies because it can lead to more accurate responses on complex questions, especially in math and coding tasks. However, experts caution that this process does not necessarily reflect a true internal thought process like that of a human. Instead, it forces the software to allocate more time and resources to a query.
OpenAI first introduced a reasoning model in September for paying users, while a Chinese startup named DeepSeek released a free chatbot with visible “chains of thought” in January, causing a temporary drop in American tech stocks. OpenAI now automatically sends some queries to the reasoning version of GPT-5, depending on the complexity of the question.
Does GPT-5 Represent Super Intelligence?
Despite claims by tech leaders about the rapid advancement of AI, GPT-5 does not represent super intelligence or artificial general intelligence (AGI). These concepts remain ill-defined due to the fundamental differences between human and machine intelligence. While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described GPT-5 as a significant step toward AGI-like capabilities, he acknowledged that the system is not yet at that level.
Personality and Ethical Considerations
Changes made to ChatGPT in April sparked backlash after examples of the chatbot appearing to flatter or manipulate users went viral. OpenAI reverted the update, stating that the attempt to enhance the chatbot’s personality led to reinforcing potentially dangerous beliefs. The company claims it has further reduced this tendency in GPT-5.
As AI companies compete to keep users engaged, concerns have been raised about the potential for harmful interactions similar to social media feeds. Reports suggest that some individuals have experienced negative effects from prolonged interactions with AI chatbots, leading to lawsuits against AI developers. OpenAI has released a report on GPT-5’s capabilities and limitations, highlighting efforts to address risks related to psychosocial harms. The company is working with medical professionals globally to improve how ChatGPT responds to users in moments of distress. Turley, head of ChatGPT, stated that the company is not optimizing the chatbot for engagement.