This update, now available to all users for free, sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown with Google’s upcoming Gemini updates, signalling a new era in AI technology.
OpenAI introduced a new iteration of its AI technology on Monday, which powers the well-known generative tool ChatGPT. The latest version, aimed at providing a more human-like interaction, is now freely accessible to all users. This announcement arrived just a day before Google is expected to unveil updates to Gemini, its own AI tool that directly competes with ChatGPT.
The new model boasts capabilities in voice, text, and image understanding and generation. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, praised the voice and video features in a blog post, likening the experience to AI from cinematic depictions and citing the Scarlett Johansson character in the movie “Her” as an inspiration for future AI interactions. During the virtual launch, OpenAI engineers showcased the enhanced features of GPT-4o. The demonstrations included voice-enabled interactions with the ChatGPT chatbot, which now handles tasks such as language translation, facial expression interpretation, and complex problem-solving in a conversational manner.
Enhanced Multimodal Capabilities
The model maintains its predecessor’s capabilities in text and coding intelligence while setting new benchmarks for audio and visual multilingual interactions. In a notable demonstration, ChatGPT interpreted an employee’s surroundings through a smartphone camera, responding in a friendly tone. Despite the buzz around potential AI-enhanced search tools to challenge Google’s search engine, Altman clarified on Friday that such developments are not imminent. Expectations for the unveiling of GPT-5 were also tempered as Altman emphasized a cautious approach to future releases.
The release highlights the ongoing AI competition, with OpenAI and its backer Microsoft contending with Google, Meta, and Anthropic for dominance in the generative AI field. These companies are actively exploring monetization strategies to offset the substantial costs associated with AI development, primarily driven by expenses tied to Nvidia’s GPU technology. While OpenAI has made high-performance versions of its AI tools freely available, it faces challenges in monetizing these offerings amid skepticism about users’ willingness to pay for subscriptions. The company also deals with legal pressures from content creators and has entered into partnerships with major publishers, even as it faces lawsuits concerning the use of content for training its models.
Mira Murati, OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, expressed enthusiasm during the launch event in San Francisco, highlighting the release of GPT-4o (with “O” representing “omni”) to all free users. GPT-4o will be deployed across OpenAI’s products over the coming weeks, and paid customers will enjoy unlimited access.
