Now the expected date is for late 2025 or early 2026. In a world where technology advances at a rapid pace, can OpenAI afford this pause without losing its leadership? It is worth noting that just a few months ago ChatGPT introduced its latest updates, including GPT-4o, featuring a much more lively and adaptable voice, which caused issues due to the supposed similarity of the AI's voice to Scarlett Johansson's.
That was only anecdotal, as the major change was expanding access for free users to a multitude of functions previously available only to paying members. This led to speculation that the arrival of GPT-5 would mark the next frontier between free and paid users… but if it doesn’t come now, doubts increase about OpenAI’s ability to generate revenue from its subscribers.
Since its inception, OpenAI has been at the forefront of artificial intelligence, surprising the world with each new iteration of its language models. GPT-3 and GPT-4 have been widely recognized for their ability to generate coherent and relevant text, setting new standards in AI technology. However, the delay in the launch of GPT-5 has raised questions about OpenAI’s ability to maintain its pace of innovation.
Despite the delay, OpenAI’s CTO, Mia Murati, has compared the advancement of their language models to human development: GPT-3, with intelligence similar to a small child; GPT-4, like a high school student; and now GPT-5, promising doctoral-level skills in specific tasks. This evolution is not trivial. Reaching a level of “doctoral-level intelligence” requires significant advancements in memory and reasoning capacity, areas where current models still face limitations.
Is the delay a calculated strategy?
The artificial intelligence market is fiercely competitive. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and other startups are constantly presenting innovations. In this context, a delay may seem like a weakness, but it can also be a calculated strategy.
By postponing the launch of GPT-5, OpenAI could be ensuring that the new model not only meets expectations but exceeds them, offering truly revolutionary capabilities. However, the delay in the launch of GPT-5 could give an advantage to OpenAI’s competitors. While the company takes its time to perfect its model, other players in the field of artificial intelligence are launching new tools and improvements. This situation raises a fundamental question: can OpenAI afford to wait without losing its dominant position in the market?
Murati has emphasized that GPT-5 will have advanced memory and reasoning capabilities, enabling it to achieve human-like performance in specific tasks. This advancement could open new applications in fields such as scientific research, education, and medicine, where the ability to intelligently handle and analyze large volumes of data can be game-changing.
