Tech

Sam Altman details the plan for OpenAI's GPT-5

Sam Altman
Sam Altman posted a roadmap for AI models GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 on X. JOEL SAGET / AFP
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Tired of keeping track of OpenAI's chatbot models? In an effort to make things less "complicated," the OpenAI CEO detailed the plan for GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 on X.

"We hate the model picker as much as you do and want to return to magic unified intelligence," Altman said in the post.

Altman is referring to the current system available on ChatGPT, which requires users to manually select various AI models for different tasks. For example, you can select GPT-4o with scheduled tasks to set reminders or o3-mini which operates faster for advanced reasoning. Other chatbots, like Google's Gemini, have a similar setup offering varying models including Flash, Pro, or Pro with Deep Research.

ChatGPT screenshot model picker
ChatGPT has a number of models users can choose from.  screenshot/ChatGPT

The CEO said GPT-4.5, referred to as Orion, will launch as its final "non-chain-of-thought model." Following the release of GPT-4.5, Altman said the company will unify o-series and GPT-series models by offering a system that can use all of its features and determine when to take more or less time to think. GPT-5 is expected to feature a larger context window, take on more agentic tasks, and have multimodal capabilities.

Altman said OpenAI "will no longer ship o3 as a standalone model," and it will be integrated in GPT-5. The change also means that free users will no longer be limited in chatting with the latest model. Currently, free users have limited access to GPT-4o.

"The free tier of ChatGPT will get unlimited chat access to GPT-5 at the standard intelligence setting (!!)," Altman wrote on Wednesday in a post on X, adding that access is "subject to abuse thresholds."

Altman said Plus and Pro subscribers will get higher levels of access depending on their subscription tier. However, it's not clear what will differentiate the tiers.

"These models will incorporate voice, canvas, search, deep research, and more," Altman said.

In response to an X comment asking about the timeline for the new models, Altman said they would be available in a matter of weeks or months.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

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Ana Altchek
Ana  writes about workplace trends and how AI is reshaping the roles of software engineers. She also regularly interviews C-suite executives about their career trajectories and leadership insights.Ana hosts a weekly video series called "Work Shift," which breaks down the biggest workplace news of the week. She holds a master’s degree in multimedia journalism from NYU and has been featured on BBC, NPR, and other global media platforms.Have a tip? You can contact her via email at aaltchek@bjinnox.com or through the secure-messaging app Signal at aalt.19.