Microsoft-Backed OpenAI Unveils Most Capable AI Model, GPT-4o

By

Published May 13, 2024

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the OpenAI DevDay event on Nov. 6, 2023 in San Francisco, California. .
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

OpenAI announced its most capable artificial intelligence model, GPT-4o, at an event on Monday with some features rolling out the same day while others will come in the next few weeks.
GPT-4o is faster, cheaper, and more capable than GPT-4 Turbo, and is available to free users.
With the new model, ChatGPT can use voice and video functions, which could raise competition among voice assistants like Apple's Siri and others.
The launch comes amid reports that OpenAI is near closing a deal with Apple to integrate its tech into the iPhone and ahead of Google's developer conference Tuesday.

Microsoft-backed (MSFT) OpenAI unveiled its most capable artificial intelligence (AI) model yet, GPT-4o, as well as a ChatGPT desktop app and upgrades to ChatGPT's voice and video capabilities at an event on Monday. The new model is available to paid and free users alike, with some features rolling out Monday while others are set to roll out in the next few weeks.

The announcement comes amid reports that OpenAI is near closing a deal with Apple (AAPL) to integrate its tech into the iPhone, and ahead of the likely AI-focused Google I/O developer conference on Tuesday.

Open AI's 'Best Model Ever'

OpenAI's latest model GPT-4o "brings GPT-4 level intelligence to everyone, including our free users," OpenAI Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Mira Murati said at the presentation.

GPT-4o is Open AI's "best model ever" and "is available to all ChatGPT users, including on the free plan," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said, adding that "this is important to our mission; we want to put great AI tools in the hands of everyone."

The new model is twice as fast, 50% cheaper, has five times higher rate limits compared to GPT-4 Turbo, and supports more than 50 languages, OpenAI said. GPT-4o is to power OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot, as well as application programming interface (API), which allows developers to use OpenAI's models.

OpenAI is beginning the GPT-4o rollout to ChatGPT Plus and Team users, with enterprise user availability "coming soon." The company said it is "also starting to roll out to ChatGPT Free with usage limits" on Monday.

Improved Voice and Vision Capabilities

The new model is also set to bring improved voice and video features in the next few weeks, OpenAI said.

During the presentation, OpenAI demonstrated ChatGPT's abilities to detect emotion through voice and video, translate in real-time, and assist with coding. Users can also interrupt ChatGPT when making requests to simulate a more natural conversation.

The voice features of ChatGPT could raise competition with other voice assistants like Apple's Siri, Alphabet's (GOOGL) Google, and Amazon's (AMZN) Alexa, among others.

Do you have a news tip for Investopedia reporters? Please email us at

tips@investopedia.com

Article Sources

Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

OpenAI. "Spring Update."
OpenAI. "Introducing GPT-4o and more tools to ChatGPT free users."
Bloomberg. "Apple Nears Deal With OpenAI to Put ChatGPT on iPhone."
X Platform. “@sama, 1:04 p.m. May 13, 2024.”
X Platform. "@OpenAI, 1:30 p.m May 13, 2024."

Take the Next Step to Invest

×

The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace.