OpenAI boss Sam Altman promises GPT-5 and GPT-4.5 "Orion" within weeks
"We realize how complicated our model and product offerings have gotten..."
Sam Altman has promised that a new version of ChatGPT could be released within a matter of weeks.
In a post on X, the OpenAI CEO said the company aims to simplify its product offerings and improve usability. However, his post added yet more complexity by adding confusion about the distinction between GPT-4.5 and GPT-5.
“We want AI to ‘just work’ for you; we realize how complicated our model and product offerings have gotten,” Altman wrote. “We hate the model picker as much as you do and want to return to magic unified intelligence.”
Altman said GPT-4.5, internally called Orion, will be OpenAI’s last model without chain-of-thought reasoning. The company plans to merge its o-series and GPT-series models, creating a system capable of adapting to various tasks, including knowing when to engage in deeper reasoning.
GPT-5, expected to launch in both ChatGPT and OpenAI’s API, will integrate multiple technologies, including the o3 model, which will no longer be offered as a standalone product.
The free tier of ChatGPT will include unlimited access to GPT-5 at a standard intelligence level, subject to abuse thresholds, Altman said.
Both will be released within weeks, Altman said on X. But you'll probably need to be a semi-superintelligence to cut through OpenAI's slightly bewildering nomenclature.
READ MORE: Hugging Face: Autonomous AI agents should NOT be unleashed
Paid tiers will offer higher levels of intelligence, with Pro subscribers gaining access to an advanced version incorporating voice, canvas, search, and deep research capabilities.
OpenAI has not provided a concrete release date for GPT-5 or Orion.
Gary Marcus, a famous AI sceptic, cast doubt over the announcement and said it puts "a positive spin on what looks like a major retreat".
"Altman rechristened Orion as GPT 4.5 rather than 5, which likely means that despite major bills, Orion never met the expectations so-called scaling laws had implied," he wrote on LinkedIn.
"AI will soldier on, perhaps with new inventions, but pure scaling of data and compute didn’t even get us to GPT-5, let alone GPT-6.
"Even with the discovery of test-time compute, GPT-5 remains elusive."
weeks / months
— Sam Altman (@sama) February 12, 2025
We asked ChatGPT how many human jobs the new model might wipe out.
"The introduction of advanced AI models like GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 is anticipated to significantly impact the job market," it replied. "While precise numbers are difficult to determine, studies suggest that a substantial portion of tasks across various occupations could be affected.
"For instance, research indicates that large language models may influence at least 10% of tasks in approximately 80% of U.S. jobs, with around 19% of workers experiencing an impact on at least 50% of their tasks.
"Occupations involving routine and repetitive tasks are particularly susceptible to automation. However, it’s important to note that while certain job functions may be automated, new opportunities are likely to emerge in fields such as AI ethics, data science, and advanced system management.
"The overall effect of these AI advancements will depend on various factors, including the pace of adoption, the development of complementary technologies, and the implementation of policies to support workforce transitions."
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