GPT o1: What It Is, Differences With Previous Models, and How to Access OpenAI’s New AI Model

In this post, we’ll break down what you need to know about the new GPT o1 model, which OpenAI unexpectedly released in recent days. According to the AI company, this new model will be capable of recognizing its own mistakes, marking a significant advancement in artificial intelligence reasoning.

First, we’ll explain what GPT o1 is and discuss this type of model in general. Then, we’ll describe the key features that differentiate it from previous models like GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and GPT-4o.

What Is GPT o1

GPT o1 is OpenAI’s new AI model. GPT is the name of the technology underlying the popular ChatGPT chatbot. These AI bots utilize different versions of the GPT engine to understand queries and generate responses.

The company has only released a preview version of GPT o1. However, this marks the inception of a new series of AI models with significantly different operations compared to existing models like GPT-3.5 or GPT-4.

In contrast to current GPT models, which prioritize speed in delivering responses, GPT o1 focuses on providing the best possible answer. Rather than striving for quick replies, it aims to carefully consider its response before generating it.

Furthermore, OpenAI asserts that the GPT o1 model will “think” before responding, “much like a person would.” The company even claims that, over time, the model will refine its thought processes to recognize and rectify errors.

It’s important to note that artificial intelligence is based on algorithms and mathematical formulas that interact with the data they’ve been trained on. This is a different way of processing data, aiming to mimic the steps humans take when thinking before responding.

The goal is to minimize the inaccuracies in current AI models. When you ask ChatGPT a question, especially about programming or mathematics, it might give an incorrect answer, even though its reasoning might make it seem accurate. So, taking a bit more time to “think” through the answers should help with this.

The Key Differences of GPT o1

As previously mentioned, GPT o1 operates completely differently from its predecessors. It doesn’t prioritize speed. Rather, it invests more time in analyzing data to produce more accurate answers.

As such, its primary distinguishing feature lies in its enhanced reasoning process, enabling it to tackle tasks requiring in-depth logical thinking, such as solving mathematical problems or coding.

This makes it a significantly more versatile model. By optimizing data analysis and thinking processes to yield superior results, it becomes more valuable in fields like scientific research and software development. At the same time, it can produce better code and perform advanced mathematical operations.

This type of “thinking” should enable the model to generate creative ideas, which can assist in content creation by producing more imaginative texts. Additionally, it should improve the model’s ability to answer more complex questions when interacting with humans.

However, there are pros and cons when it comes to handling questions. While the chatbot may respond better to queries, this may not align with the priorities of customer service companies, where the speed of response is often more crucial.

How to Use GPT o1

GPT o1 is now available on ChatGPT as a preview version. As such, its features are still under development and won’t be finalized until the definitive version arrives.

Currently, only paying users with a ChatGPT Plus and Team subscription can access it. Soon, it’ll also be accessible to ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu users. There will be two versions: GPT o1 and GPT o1 mini, with the mini version designed for faster performance in programming tasks.

There’s no specific release date for the free version yet, so it may take several months for non-paying users to receive it, or it may not be available at all.

Image | Amal Saikrishna (via Unsplash)

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