OpenAI unveils Chat GPT-5 model with 'Ph.D level intelligence' – USA Today
OpenAI has unveiled its latest and most advanced update for its ChatGPT chatbot yet.
The new model, known as GPT-5, is more useful and intuitive than its prior versions, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said during a livestream on Thursday, Aug. 7.
Altman compared the intelligence of its previous GPT-3 model to a promising high school student, its GPT-4 model to a smarter college student and GPT-5 to a “legitimate Ph.D level expert in any area.”
“GPT-5 can write an entire computer program from scratch,” he said. “This is an incredible super power on demand that would’ve been unimaginable in any previous time in history.”
The update comes as the AI service gains popularity with over 700 million people using it per week, Altman added.
The company said the new model still has limitations relating to persistent memory, autonomy and adaptability across tasks, NBC News reported.
USA TODAY has reached out to OpenAI for comment.
GPT-5 was released to the public on Thursday, Aug. 7, with a livestream on its social media channels and website.
Anyone can access ChatGPT for free; however, usage limits are determined by if a visitor is a subscriber.
Plus subscribers get unlimited access while Pro subscribers receive access to GPT‑5 Pro, a version with extended reasoning for even more comprehensive and accurate answers, the company said.
The Plus subscription is $20 a month, while Pro costs $200.
For a breakdown of what each subscription offers, click here.
To use ChatGPT, including the GPT-5 upgrade, users can ask the chatbot questions to answer or prompt it to carry out tasks. Altman pointed to tasks such as creating party invitations, ordering supplies and explaining health care in the live stream.
ChatGPT users will now have the option to select a custom color for their chats and choose from a variety of pre-set personalities, like Cynic, Robot, Listener, and Nerd.
Pro users will be able to connect their Gmail, Google Contacts, and Google Calendar to ChatGPT, with other tiers gaining access at a later, unspecified date, according to Wired.
The entire livestream discussing GPT was uploaded on OpenAI’s official YouTube channel.
Anthony Robledo is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. He can be reached at arobledo@usatoday.com or @AnthonyARobledo on X and Instagram.
Natassia Paloma is a trending reporter for the El Paso Times and may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.
