OpenAI Launches New AI Model and Desktop Version of ChatGPT in Major Update

On May 13, OpenAI launched a new AI model, GPT-4o, and a desktop version of ChatGPT, enhancing speed and versatility for users.

OpenAI Unveils GPT-4o, Extending Capabilities to Free Users with Enhanced Text, Video, and Audio Features

According to CNBC, in a live-streamed event, Mira Murati, OpenAI's technology chief, stated that the update makes GPT-4 available to everyone, including free users. She said the new model, GPT-4o, is "much faster," with more excellent text, video, and audio capabilities. OpenAI eventually intends to allow users to communicate via video with ChatGPT.

"This is the first time that we are really making a huge step forward when it comes to the ease of use," Murati said.

Investors have valued OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, at over $80 billion. The company, launched in 2015, is under pressure to maintain its position at the top of the generative AI market while finding methods to generate money as it invests heavily in processors and infrastructure to construct and train its models.

The o in GPT-4o represents omni. The new model enables ChatGPT to handle 50 different languages with enhanced speed and quality, and it will also be available via OpenAI's API, allowing developers to start building applications utilizing the new model right away, Murati added.

She emphasized that GPT-4o is twice as quick as GPT-4 Turbo while costing half as much.

OpenAI team members showed the new model's audio capabilities by asking it to calm someone down before a public address. Mark Chen, an OpenAI researcher, stated that the model can "perceive your emotion," and that it can also tolerate user interruptions. The researchers also instructed it to assess a user's facial expression to comment on the person's emotions.

"Hey there, what's up? How can I brighten your day today?" ChatGPT's audio mode said when a user greeted it.

According to a blog post, the business aims to test Voice Mode in the following weeks, with early access available to premium ChatGPT Plus users. OpenAI further claimed that the new model can answer users' auditory instructions "in as little as 232 milliseconds, with an average of 320 milliseconds, which is similar to human response time in a conversation."

Chen exhibited the model's capacity to tell a bedtime story and requested that the model adjust its vocal tone to something more dramatic or robotic. He even asked that it sing the story.

Furthermore, the company stated that OpenAI's new model may act as a translator, even in audio mode. Chen displayed the tool's capacity to listen to Murati speak Italian while he spoke English and translate between the two languages as they conversed.

Team members also displayed the model's capacity to solve math equations and assist with code creation, positioning it as a better competitor to Microsoft's own GitHub Copilot.

For OpenAI, the debut was one of the most significant announcements since the August launch of ChatGPT Enterprise, the AI chatbot's commercial tier. OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap told CNBC that the tool has been in development for "under a year" and has been assisted by more than 20 firms of all sizes and industries.

OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google are leading a generative AI gold rush, with companies in practically every industry racing to add AI-powered chatbots and agents to crucial services to stay competitive. Earlier this month, OpenAI competitor Anthropic debuted its first enterprise product and a free iPhone app.

Generative AI Market Surges with $29.1 Billion Investment, OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Capabilities to All Users

According to PitchBook, approximately 700 generative AI deals received a record $29.1 billion in investment in 2023, up more than 260% from the previous year. The market is expected to exceed $1 trillion in revenue within a decade.

Some industry employees have expressed worries about the rapid introduction of untested new services. At the same time, academics and ethicists are concerned about the technology's propensity to perpetuate bias.

ChatGPT broke the record for the fastest-growing consumer app in history when it launched in November 2022, and it now has approximately 100 million weekly active users. According to OpenAI, more than 92% of Fortune 500 organizations use its platform.

Murati stated during the May 13 event that OpenAI aims to "remove some of the mysticism from the technology."

"Over the next few weeks, we'll be rolling out these capabilities to everyone," she said.

According to a blog post published on May 13, the new model will be available to ChatGPT Plus and Team clients on May 14, followed by Enterprise customers later. With usage constraints, it will also be available to ChatGPT's free users beginning on May 13. ChatGPT Plus subscribers will have five times the message capacity of free users, while ChatGPT Team and Enterprise clients will have even larger usage limits.

Murati finished the live-streamed event by praising Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and his business for delivering the graphics processing units (GPUs) required to power OpenAI's technology.

"I just want to thank the incredible OpenAI team, and also thanks to Jensen and the Nvidia team for bringing us the most advanced GPUs to make this demo possible today," she said.

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