ChatGPT: Everything you need to know

The system is designed to prevent models from giving advice that could potentially lead to harmful attacks, as stated in OpenAI’s safety report. OpenAI has announced its plan to make changes to its procedures for updating the AI models that power ChatGPT, following an update that caused the platform to become overly sycophantic for many users. OpenAI is unveiling a program called OpenAI for Countries, which aims to develop the necessary local infrastructure to serve international AI clients better.

OpenAI has introduced its AI coding agent, Codex, powered by codex-1, a version of its o3 AI reasoning model designed for software engineering tasks. The coding agent may take anywhere from one to 30 minutes to complete tasks such as writing simple features, fixing bugs, answering questions about your codebase, and running tests. Released by artificial intelligence company OpenAI in 2022, ChatGPT is a chatbot capable of communicating with users in a human-like way. OpenAI rolled out new tools designed to help developers and businesses build AI agents — automated systems that can independently accomplish tasks — using the company’s own AI models and frameworks. The Responses API effectively replaces OpenAI’s Assistants API, which the company plans to discontinue in the first half of 2026.

Lightcap, who previously worked with Altman at Y Combinator, joined the Microsoft-backed startup in 2018. OpenAI also said Mark Chen would step into the expanded role of chief research officer, and Julia Villagra will take on the role of chief people officer. OpenAI started updating ChatGPT to enable the chatbot to remember previous conversations with a user and customize its responses based on that context. This feature is rolling out to ChatGPT Pro and Plus users first, excluding those in the U.K., EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

For free, users get access to OpenAI’s GPT-4o mini model, plus limited access to GPT-4o and o3-mini. They can also use ChatGPT search to access results informed by real-time data from the web. Hitting the ‘Reason’ button on a query gives you limited access to the ChatGPT o1 model.

OpenAI is working to fix a “bug” that let minors engage in inappropriate conversations

OpenAI made a notable change to its content moderation policies after the success of its new image generator in ChatGPT, which went viral for being able to create Studio Ghibli-style images. The company has updated its policies to allow ChatGPT to generate images of public figures, hateful symbols, and racial features when requested. OpenAI had previously declined such prompts due to the potential controversy or harm they may cause. However, the company has now “evolved” its approach, as stated in a blog post published by Joanne Jang, the lead for OpenAI’s model behavior. It’s capable of carrying on conversations with human users and generating a wide range of text outputs including recipes, computer code, essays and personal letters. It can also critique the user’s writing, summarize long documents and translate text from one language to another.

OpenAI announces the ChatGPT Pro plan, a new premium plan for ChatGPT users to access even more features. The plan costs $200 per month and gives users access to Open AI o1, o1-mini, GPT-4o and advanced voice mode. Recent updates mean ChatGPT’s free plan now includes access to ChatGPT search and image generation using OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 model, meaning you can get a lot done without a paid subscription.

OpenAI unveils a new ChatGPT agent for ‘deep research’

The platform can be accessed through its website, mobile app and some third-party integrations. The AI is free to use at its full capability for a limited number of prompts. After this, users will have access to a less powerful version, or can upgrade to GPT Plus for single use, or GPT Team, which is designed for teams and businesses to collaborate using the tool. As we approach the third anniversary of ChatGPT’s breakthrough moment, the AI chatbot has become an institution.

OpenAI unveils Flex processing for cheaper, slower AI tasks

ChatGPT can create computer code from natural language instructions or troubleshoot existing code. It can write a wedding speech for you or re-write your draft in a way that flows better. It can create personalized workout plans, generate business ideas and even act as your therapist. OpenAI used the subreddit r/ChangeMyView to measure the persuasive abilities of its AI reasoning models. OpenAI says it collects user posts from the subreddit and asks its AI models to write replies, in a closed environment, that would change the Reddit user’s mind on a subject.

What is the latest version of ChatGPT?

The ChatGPT maker is one of the biggest buyers of Nvidia’s GPUs, using the AI chips to train models, and this is the first time that OpenAI is using non-Nvidia chips in an important way. ChatGPT users should be cautious when seeking emotional support from AI, as the AI industry lacks safeguards for sensitive conversations, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said on a recent episode of This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von. Unlike human therapists, AI tools aren’t bound by doctor-patient confidentiality, he noted. OpenAI said the chatbot was on track to hit 700 million weekly active users in the first week of August, up from 500 million at the end of March. Nick Turley, OpenAI’s VP and head of the ChatGPT app, highlighted the app’s growth on X, noting it has quadrupled in size over the past year. OpenAI rolled out its budget-friendly ChatGPT Go plan in Indonesia for Rp 75,000 ($4.50) per month, following its initial launch in India.

• ChatGPT is due for more upgrades in the near future, with the advanced voice mode potentially receiving a live camera feature to create even more seamless interactions.
• The new program will be accessible to users of ChatGPT Enterprise, ChatGPT Edu, and API.
• The Foundation now thinks the cost could be much higher, possibly around $30,000 per task.
• This could enable ChatGPT to keep track of larger documents and conversations, and to handle more complex projects.

Sam Altman addresses GPT-5 glitches and “chart crime” during Reddit AMA

The changes aren’t yet publicly visible, but a user on X who goes by Choi spotted these updates in ChatGPT’s client-side code. TechCrunch separately identified the same references to Operator on OpenAI’s website. OpenAI is now allowing anyone to use ChatGPT web search without having to log in. While OpenAI had previously allowed users to ask ChatGPT questions without signing in, responses were restricted to the chatbot’s last training update. To use ChatGPT in any form through the native mobile app, you will still need to be logged in.

A commonly cited stat is that ChatGPT requires around 3 watt-hours of power to answer a single question. Using OpenAI’s latest default model for ChatGPT, GPT-4o, as a reference, nonprofit AI research institute Epoch AI found the average ChatGPT query consumes around 0.3 watt-hours. However, the analysis doesn’t consider the additional energy costs incurred by ChatGPT with features like image generation or input processing. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said, in a post on X, that the company has trained a “new model” that’s “really good” at creative writing. He posted a lengthy sample from the model given the prompt “Please write a metafictional literary short story about AI and grief.” OpenAI has not extensively explored the use of AI for writing fiction. The company has mostly concentrated on challenges in rigid, predictable areas such as math and programming.

OpenAI CFO says hardware will drive ChatGPT’s growth

• The coding agent may take anywhere from one to 30 minutes to complete tasks such as writing simple features, fixing bugs, answering questions about your codebase, and running tests.
• This year alone, the app has generated $1.35 billion, a 673% increase from the same period in 2024, averaging nearly $193 million per month, or 53 times more than its nearest rival, Grok.
• Go to chatgpt.com or download the ChatGPT app on Apple’s App Store or on the Google Play Store.
• OpenAI is preparing to launch an AI system that will be openly accessible, allowing users to download it for free without any API restrictions.
• The company says it will block flirtatious exchanges with minors and add stronger protections around discussions of suicide, even escalating severe cases to parents or authorities.
• But considering the ways ChatGPT can fall short, the results are possibly cause for alarm.

Operator promises to automate tasks such as booking travel accommodations, making restaurant reservations, and shopping online. A new report from app analytics firm Appfigures found that over half of ChatGPT’s mobile users are under age 25, with users between ages 50 and 64 making up the second largest age demographic. Appfigures estimates that across age groups, men make up 84.5% of all users. OpenAI leaders have been talking about allowing the open model to link up with OpenAI’s cloud-hosted models to improve its ability to respond to intricate questions, two sources familiar with the situation told TechCrunch. Below, you’ll find a timeline of ChatGPT product updates and releases, starting with the latest, which we’ve been updating throughout the year. According to the Hughes Hallucination Evaluation Model (HHEM), GPT-5 has a hallucination rate of just 1.4%, outperforming rival systems such as Grok-4 and Gemini-2.5.

OpenAI’s latest AI models now have a safeguard against biorisks

OpenAI is introducing a new way for users to customize their interactions with ChatGPT. Some users found they can specify a preferred name or nickname and “traits” they’d like the chatbot to have. OpenAI vegas casino app suggests traits like “Chatty,” “Encouraging,” and “Gen Z.” However, some users reported that the new options have disappeared, so it’s possible they went live prematurely.