ChatGPT-5 is Coming Key Features of the New Version
It’s been a few months since the release of ChatGPT-4, the most capable version of ChatGPT to date. However, various hints, including interviews with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, suggest that GPT-5 might be launched very soon.
GPT-5 is reportedly set to be the largest and most advanced AI model, competing with giants like Anthropic, Meta, and the re-emerging Google.
With the release of ChatGPT in 2022, OpenAI set a new standard in AI technologies. However, as competitors rapidly advance and some models come close to matching OpenAI’s technology, the competition is heating up.
In September 2023, Sam Altman gave a talk at his former venture capital firm, Y Combinator, where he announced that GPT-5 and GPT-6 were in the works. A few months later, in a November interview with the Financial Times, he confirmed that OpenAI was actively working on GPT-5. Then, in January, during an interview on Bill Gates’ podcast, Altman reiterated that GPT-5 was in active development, although no specific release date was given.
It could be available to the public soon.
When ChatGPT was launched a few years ago, it was revolutionary, but now it is just one of many powerful AI tools. In an environment where competitors are investing billions of dollars in AI research, development, and marketing, OpenAI needs to stay competitive in the AI arms race.
The company has previously released major updates within short timeframes. For example, ChatGPT-4 was released just three months after GPT-3.5. Therefore, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect GPT-5 to be released only a few months after GPT-4.
In March, Sam Altman gave an interview on the Lex Fridman Podcast. He told Lex that OpenAI plans to release “an incredible new model” this year. Altman might have been referring to GPT-4o, which was released a few months later, but it’s also possible he was talking about GPT-5. If Altman’s plans come to fruition, GPT-5 will be released within this year.
Access to GPT-5 Demo Versions
According to Altman’s interview with Business Insider, GPT-5 is set to be released in the summer of 2024. Business Insider reports that certain corporate customers subscribed to the highest tier, ChatGPT Enterprise, have been granted early access to demo versions of GPT-5.
However, the new model still needs to complete its training and pass security testing. Both of these processes will significantly impact the release date.
Expectations from the New Model
OpenAI aims for GPT-5 to be a significant step in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Overall, GPT-5 is expected to be substantially “smarter” than its predecessors. Analysts like Hamish Low from Enders Analysis suggest that OpenAI has the potential to make a significant impact with this new model.
The focus on being smarter includes better contextual understanding, which means more relevant responses to questions and overall conversations. It also implies fewer hallucinations.
Being smarter also indicates improvements in the neural network architecture behind ChatGPT. This suggests that it will be a tool capable of processing data faster and more efficiently.
OpenAI is training GPT-5 on a vast amount of data, much of which is collected from the internet. However, a significant portion of the training data is purchased or otherwise obtained from organizations. These proprietary datasets may cover specific areas that are relatively lacking in the general publicly accessible data from the internet. Thus, GPT-5 will be able to provide more efficient information on complex and niche topics.
Will ChatGPT-5 Be Sentient?
It seems almost certain that GPT-5 will be smarter than ChatGPT-4 and ChatGPT-4o. If Altman’s promises come true, it will be better in every aspect.
But does this mean only a gradual improvement in AI tools, or does it signal the advent of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)? AGI, or general artificial intelligence, is the concept of machine intelligence on par with human cognition. A robot with AGI could take on many tasks with capabilities equal to or better than a human.
The Coffee Test is used to demonstrate or perhaps test the existence of AGI. It is described as follows:
“Imagine you are standing in your kitchen, and a robot enters and makes a cup of coffee. The robot is not programmed to enter your kitchen, find the coffee machine, locate the correct ingredients, and make a great cup of coffee. Yet, it decides to do so and successfully completes the task.”
Bridging the Gap Between Human and Machine
The possibility of AGI is both exciting and frightening. Prominent tech leaders, including Elon Musk, have warned that it may not be far off.
Despite all the concerns about AGI and predictions of its imminent arrival, it seems unlikely that GPT-5 will make AGI a reality.
In this context, OpenAI claims that the advanced capabilities and improved conversational experience of GPT-5 can “bridge the gap between human and machine communication.” However, the likelihood of GPT-5 being sentient is very low.
The release of GPT-5 is considered a significant step in the field of artificial intelligence. However, whether the innovations offered by this model will meet user expectations and whether the added cost of its advanced capabilities will be worth it will be critical factors in determining the future of competition in the AI sector.
