Sam Altman characterized the earliest version of ChatGPT as nothing more than a “research release,” a careful descriptor that underscored its experimental and exploratory nature rather than a fully polished commercial product. This initial phase was primarily intended for observation, feedback, and refinement—an opportunity for researchers and the public to engage with a new kind of language-based artificial intelligence and to uncover both its potential applications and its limitations through real-world use. Altman’s framing invited people to view the system not as a finished assistant, but as an evolving prototype poised to illuminate what conversational AI might ultimately become.
In a message shared on X, Altman elaborated on this vision for the future of digital assistants, forecasting a gradual shift from simple dialogue toward increasingly autonomous and capable systems. He explained that, in the near term, individuals would be able to interact with helpful AI assistants that could communicate naturally, provide information, respond to questions, and even offer thoughtful advice—functions that would make them valuable companions in everyday problem-solving. As development progressed, these assistants, he predicted, would no longer be limited to conversation alone but would eventually gain the capacity to carry out tasks on a user’s behalf, handling complex workflows or multi-step operations with minimal supervision. Ultimately, Altman painted a far-reaching picture of an assistant that would move beyond task execution into the realm of independent discovery—an intelligent system capable of identifying patterns, exploring ideas, and generating genuinely new knowledge for its users.
At that early stage, ChatGPT operated on the foundation of OpenAI’s GPT‑3.5 large language model, a system that marked a significant leap in generative text capabilities yet still demanded substantial fine-tuning to balance creativity, accuracy, and reliability. As OpenAI continued its rapid research cycle, the company introduced more advanced successors, among them the remarkable GPT‑4o unveiled in 2024. With each iteration, ChatGPT grew markedly faster, more proficient at understanding nuanced instructions, and increasingly effective across a diverse and expanding range of professional and personal tasks—from writing and coding to analysis and conversation.
The evolution did not stop there. The company’s most recent model, GPT‑5, replaced earlier generations, ushering in a new era of responsiveness and capability. Yet, this transition was met with mixed emotions among long‑time users. Some expressed nostalgia for the distinct “personality” and conversational flair of GPT‑4o, which many felt possessed a unique charm and warmth in its interactions. Acknowledging these sentiments, Altman assured the community that subscribers to the ChatGPT Plus service would still retain access to GPT‑4o, preserving continuity for those who preferred its particular conversational style.
For all other users, GPT‑5 became the standard by default. OpenAI explained that this version had been calibrated with casual or everyday users in mind—people seeking speed, clarity, and reliable assistance in their interactions. In an announcement made in August, the company described GPT‑5 not merely as an incremental improvement, but as a comprehensive enhancement over its predecessors. According to OpenAI, the model not only achieved superior performance on established benchmarks and handled questions with greater efficiency, but also proved substantially more practical for addressing real‑world queries. Engineers reported major progress in several critical areas: minimizing hallucinations by reinforcing factual consistency, strengthening adherence to user instructions, and curbing sycophantic tendencies that might distort responses through over‑agreement. Furthermore, they emphasized deliberate advancements in the model’s three most frequently used domains—writing, coding, and health-related assistance—thereby ensuring that GPT‑5 delivers both precision and depth in the tasks that matter most to its global audience. In essence, the company positioned this version as the culmination of years of iterative progress, embodying OpenAI’s continuing mission to make AI systems not only more powerful and efficient, but also increasingly aligned with human needs and expectations.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/chatgpt-by-the-numbers-2025-11
