Katarzyna Petru
While others are still fine-tuning their "supermodels", OpenAI is already packing the next generations into one box. GPT-5 is coming – a system that aims not only to replace everything they have created so far, but also to eliminate the chaos in the offering and in the process… bring us a step closer to AGI.
End of model selection. GPT-5 is supposed to do it for you
“We hate how complicated our model and product offerings have become,” said Sam Altman, head of OpenAI, back in February. And it was not just empty words. GPT-5 is the answer to the frustration of users who didn't know when to reach for GPT-4o and when for o4-mini. Now the model is to decide whether the situation requires a quick response or deep reasoning.
The combination of GPT models and the “o” series is intended to not only simplify the UX but also increase the consistency of operation – and that in every form: text, image, sound, data. In other words: one tool, many possibilities, fewer clicks.
August 2025: the launch of GPT-5. For everyone, but not everything
If everything goes according to plan, GPT-5 will debut in early August. The basic version will be available for every ChatGPT user – for free. But as one might easily guess, the full power will be given to subscribers – that is, those who pay for Plus, Team, or Enterprise.
The “standard” version is expected to suffice for most everyday applications, but if you want to access the “higher levels of intelligence”, you will need to reach for your wallet.
GPT-5 mini and nano – AI to suit your budget
The new system will not only appear in ChatGPT. OpenAI also plans to introduce lightweight variants of GPT-5 – "mini" and "nano" versions, available through the API. Developers will be able to choose a model that fits their needs (and financial capabilities), without sacrificing access to the new generation of reasoning.
This is a response to the growing competition from Llama 3, Claude 3, and Gemini, which are increasingly making inroads into the enterprise and developer tools market.
Multimodality in one place. No switching required
GPT-5 will be integrated with functions that have so far operated separately: image processing, voice recognition, the Deep Research tool, and internet searching. This is expected to be one of the key changes – the system will decide for itself how to utilise the available sensors and tools to best respond to the user's query.
For example: if you ask for statistical data, GPT-5 can search the web, analyse a chart, and tell you about the results – using its voice. Without manual switching between tools.
Open-source? Yes, but not now
Alongside the release of GPT-5, OpenAI planned to launch the first open-source model in years. It was to be similar to o3-mini and support reasoning, but… the deadline has been pushed back. Why? As Altman stated, "additional safety testing" is needed. They want to avoid the "Grok error" – that is, releasing an immature system that will then need to be fixed in front of the whole world.
And where is that AGI?
It cannot be denied: all this integration and the new strategy of OpenAI have one goal – to get closer to AGI, or general artificial intelligence. GPT-5 is another step, but not the last one. Altman admitted that the OpenAI team won a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) thanks to an experimental model that exceeds the capabilities of GPT-5. The thing is, this model will not be made publicly available yet – not for several months.
Why is this important? Because when OpenAI announces that it has achieved AGI, Microsoft – their key partner – will lose rights to revenues from future models. And that changes the rules of the game.
Will GPT-5 meet expectations?
On paper, it looks like the perfect solution – faster, smarter, more intuitive. But the real question is: will GPT-5 manage to build trust and show that simplifying the model does not mean sacrificing precision?
We will find out soon enough. One thing is for sure: we are approaching a point where the question is no longer “will AI surpass us?”, but rather “do we still have control over it?”.
