What Is OpenAI GPT-4o? A Free and Faster Model by ChatGPT

OpenAI GPT-4o Announcement

OpenAI has launched OpenAI GPT-4o, an enhanced version of its GPT-4 model that powers ChatGPT. The updated model is faster and improves capabilities across text, vision, and audio, according to OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. GPT-4o will be free for all users, with paid users having up to five times the capacity limits of free users.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the model is “natively multimodal,” allowing it to generate content or understand commands in voice, text, or images. Developers will have access to the API, which is half the price and twice as fast as GPT-4 Turbo.

New features are coming to ChatGPT’s voice mode, enabling it to act as a real-time voice assistant and observe the world around it. Altman reflected on OpenAI’s trajectory, acknowledging the company’s focus has shifted to making advanced AI models available to developers through paid APIs.

Prior to the launch, there were conflicting reports about OpenAI’s announcement, including an AI search engine, a voice assistant integrated into GPT-4, or a new model, GPT-5. OpenAI timed the launch to precede Google I/O, where we expect to see the launch of various AI products from the Gemini team.

Breaking Down the Name: GPT-4o

• GPT: This stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer, a type of neural network architecture used for language processing tasks. OpenAI GPT-4o builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessors, GPT-3 and GPT-4.
• “o” for Omni: The addition of the letter “o” signifies GPT-4o’s key differentiator – its omnimodal capabilities. Unlike previous models, GPT-4o can process and respond to information presented in various formats: text, speech, and even video. This allows for a richer and more nuanced understanding of user input, leading to more comprehensive and relevant responses.

AI Model That Can Reason Across Audio, Vision, and Text in Real-Time (Features)

Imagine an AI that can understand your questions and requests no matter how you present them. Speak, type, or even show it a picture, and GPT-4o, the latest creation from OpenAI, will respond with intelligence and speed. Here’s what makes GPT-4o a revolutionary leap in AI:

Thinks Like a Genius, Acts Like Lightning:

• Smarter Than Ever: GPT-4o matches the impressive reasoning and coding abilities of GPT-4 Turbo in text-based tasks. But it goes beyond that, excelling in understanding and responding to audio, video, and languages other than English.
• Blazing Fast: Get answers in a flash! GPT-4o generates responses twice as quickly as GPT-4 Turbo, making it ideal for real-time applications.

More Affordable, More Powerful:

• Half the Price, Double the Fun: OpenAI GPT-4o is significantly cheaper than its predecessor. You’ll pay half the price for both input and output tokens, making this advanced technology more accessible.
• Do More in Less Time: GPT-4o boasts 5x higher rate limits, allowing you to explore its capabilities more extensively and work with larger datasets.

See Clearly, Speak Fluently:

• Sharper Vision: OpenAI GPT-4o’s improved visual processing allows it to interpret and respond to images with greater accuracy.
• Breaking Language Barriers: Communication across borders is easier than ever. GPT-4o handles non-English languages more effectively and uses a new system for breaking down text, making communication smoother.

Always Up-to-Date:

• Fresh Knowledge: GPT-4o’s knowledge base is current, incorporating information up to October 2023. This ensures you receive the most relevant and accurate responses based on the latest data available.

This is just a glimpse into the power of OpenAI GPT-4o. In the future, you might see it:

• Compose music with another GPT-4o in real-time!
• Practice for a job interview with a lifelike conversation.
• Learn a new language with a real-time translator by your side.

OpenAI prioritizes safety in its development process, so you can be confident using GPT-4o.

Supercharge Your Workflow with the New ChatGPT Desktop App (MacOS)

Get things done faster:

• Ask ChatGPT questions instantly with a keyboard shortcut (Option + Space) – no need to switch apps!
• Discuss screenshots directly in the app – perfect for brainstorming or getting feedback.

Talk to ChatGPT (coming soon):

• Start voice conversations with ChatGPT – ideal for brainstorming or in-depth discussions. (Currently text-based voice mode available)

Available now for Plus users (MacOS):

• Everyone gets access soon! Windows version coming later this year.

Modality

Seeing the World Through Images (Video Support Coming Soon):

Currently, the GPT-4o API understands video content through its vision capabilities. However, there’s a catch! Videos need to be broken down into still images (frames) at a rate of 2-4 frames per second. You can choose to sample these frames uniformly throughout the video or use a specific algorithm to select keyframes. To learn more about utilizing video with GPT-4o, check out the “Introduction to GPT-4o cookbook”

Hearing Your Voice (Limited Availability):

While not yet widely available, OpenAI plans to introduce audio support to a select group of trusted testers in the coming weeks. This means GPT-4o will be able to directly understand spoken language, making interaction even more natural.

Generating Images:

If your goal is to create images, GPT-4o isn’t there yet. OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 API remains the champion for generating creative visual content.

Exploring GPT-4o’s Capabilities

Now, let’s explore the exciting possibilities GPT-4o :

• Harmonious Duets: Imagine two GPT-4o models interacting and even singing together! This opens doors for exploring new forms of AI-driven music creation.
• Perfecting Your Interview Skills: Need to nail that upcoming interview? Practice with GPT-4o for a realistic conversation simulating a real interview setting.
• Rock, Paper, Scissors Anyone?: Feeling playful? GPT-4o can be your game partner for a quick round of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
• Conquering Math Challenges: Stuck on a math problem? GPT-4o can assist you in understanding complex concepts and solving equations.
• Unlocking New Languages: Learning a new language? GPT-4o can be your personal language tutor, providing real-time translation and assisting with language acquisition.
• Breaking Language Barriers: Seamless communication across languages is now a reality. GPT-4o can translate languages in real-time, fostering global collaboration and understanding.

Is It Safe to Use OpenAI GPT-4o?

GPT-4o is completely safe to use as OpenAI prioritizes the safety and responsible development of AI. Here’s a closer look at the safeguards built into GPT-4o:

• Multimodal Safety by Design: From the ground up, GPT-4o incorporates safety measures across all its functionalities (text, image, and future audio/video). Techniques like filtering training data and refining the model’s behavior after training help mitigate potential risks. Additionally, new safety systems have been created specifically for voice outputs.
• Rigorous Risk Assessment: OpenAI meticulously evaluated GPT-4o according to their own safety frameworks, focusing on areas like cybersecurity, biosecurity risks (CBRN), persuasion techniques, and model autonomy. These evaluations demonstrate that GPT-4o poses no more than “Medium” risk in any category. This assessment involved a comprehensive process of automated and human evaluations throughout the development process.
• External Red Teaming: To identify potential risks introduced by the new modalities (audio and video), GPT-4o underwent extensive testing with over 70 external experts. These experts specialize in fields like social psychology, bias detection, and misinformation. The learnings from this process were used to further refine GPT-4o’s safety measures, ensuring a more secure and trustworthy interaction experience.
• Continuous Safety Improvements: OpenAI acknowledges that, particularly with audio functionalities, there are novel risks to consider. While text and image capabilities are being released initially, audio functionalities will have a phased rollout. Initially, audio outputs will be limited to a predetermined set of voices and subject to existing safety protocols. OpenAI will provide further details on safety measures for all modalities in a forthcoming system card.

OpenAI is committed to ongoing risk mitigation as it explores the full potential of GPT-4o.

Conclusion: Unleashing the Power of GPT-4o

OpenAI’s GPT-4o is here, and it’s ready to revolutionize your AI interaction experience. Text and image capabilities are rolling out first, both in the GPT-4o free and GPT Plus tiers of ChatGPT. Plus users will enjoy significantly higher message limits. Get ready to experience GPT-4o’s power through text prompts and image inputs.

Looking to interact with GPT-4o using your voice? A new alpha version of Voice Mode featuring GPT-4o is on the horizon for ChatGPT Plus users.

Developers can jump in right away! Access GPT-4o’s text and vision functionalities through the OpenAI API, benefiting from its speed, affordability, and increased rate limits compared to GPT-4 Turbo. While audio and video functionalities are coming soon, initial access will be granted to a select group of partners.

Stay tuned for exciting updates as OpenAI unveils the full potential of GPT-4o!