A recap of OpenAI’s (many) December 2024 announcements

OpenAI launched a series of major product updates and features during its “12 Days of OpenAI” livestream event in December 2024, including ChatGPT Pro, Sora video generation, and the preview of its o3 reasoning model.

Event overview: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman orchestrated a 12-day livestream series starting December 5, 2024, showcasing new AI tools and features during what the company dubbed “12 Days of Shipmas.”

• The initiative involved daily product launches and demonstrations across OpenAI’s portfolio
• The event culminated with announcements about corporate restructuring and future developments
• Products ranged from consumer-facing tools to developer resources

Major product launches: ChatGPT Pro and Sora emerged as flagship releases during the event.

• ChatGPT Pro, priced at $200 monthly, offers unlimited access to advanced models and features
• Sora, OpenAI’s text-to-video generation model, creates realistic videos up to 20 seconds long
• The o3 reasoning model was previewed, with public launch planned for early 2025

Technical enhancements: OpenAI introduced several platform improvements and developer tools.

• Reinforcement fine-tuning capabilities allow for creating domain-specific expert models
• Canvas, a collaborative writing and coding interface, was integrated into ChatGPT
• New SDKs for Go and Java were released in beta
• API pricing was reduced by 60% for real-time services

Integration and accessibility: The company expanded its reach through various partnerships and platforms.

• Integration with Apple Intelligence enhances Siri with ChatGPT capabilities
• A toll-free number (1-800-CHAT-GPT) provides phone access to ChatGPT
• WhatsApp integration enables text-based interactions
• Desktop apps now support control of other applications on macOS

Corporate evolution: OpenAI announced plans to restructure its organization.

• The company is exploring conversion to a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation
• This change aims to balance shareholder interests with public benefit
• The restructuring will enable conventional capital-raising while maintaining the mission of beneficial AGI development

Looking ahead: The announcements signal OpenAI’s trajectory toward more sophisticated AI systems while expanding accessibility.

• Early 2025 will see the public launch of the o3 model
• Corporate restructuring suggests preparation for sustained growth
• Focus remains on developing AGI that benefits humanity while maintaining sustainable operations