OpenAI’s New AI Models Claim PhD-Level Skill — Here’s Who Has Access

OpenAI unveils new AI model family: OpenAI has introduced a new series of AI models called “o1,” designed to tackle complex tasks and surpass the capabilities of their previous GPT series.

• The o1 family currently includes two models: o1-preview and o1-mini, both available to ChatGPT Plus users with initial usage limits.
• These models are specifically designed for reasoning through complex tasks and solving harder problems in fields like science, healthcare, and technology.
• OpenAI cautions that the o1 models currently lack some features present in GPT-4, such as web browsing and image processing capabilities.

o1-preview: A PhD-level performer: The o1-preview model demonstrates exceptional capabilities in various academic and professional domains.

• It performs at a level comparable to PhD students in physics, chemistry, and biology.
• The model excels in coding, ranking in the 89th percentile in Codeforces competitions.
• On the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) qualifying exam, o1-preview solved 83% of the problems, a significant improvement over GPT-4o’s 13% success rate.

o1-mini: Cost-effective alternative: OpenAI has also launched o1-mini, a more streamlined version of the o1 model family.

• While optimized for coding and STEM tasks, o1-mini still delivers strong performance in math and programming.
• It achieved a 70% score on the IMO math benchmark, nearly matching o1-preview’s 74%.
• o1-mini offers an 80% lower price tag compared to o1-preview, making it an attractive option for developers and researchers with specific reasoning needs.

Enhanced safety and security measures: Both o1 models incorporate improved safety features and align with OpenAI’s commitment to responsible AI development.

• The models use a new safety training approach, enhancing their ability to follow safety and alignment guidelines.
• o1-preview scored 84 on one of OpenAI’s toughest jailbreaking tests, significantly outperforming GPT-4o’s score of 22.
• OpenAI has entered into agreements with the U.S. and U.K. AI Safety Institutes to support the evaluation and testing of future AI systems.

Future developments and implications: The introduction of the o1 model family represents a significant step forward in AI capabilities, with potential impacts across various industries.

• OpenAI plans to regularly update and improve these models, including adding features like browsing and image processing.
• The company will continue developing both the GPT and o1 series, potentially leading to further advancements in AI applications.
• As these models become more widely available, they could significantly impact fields such as scientific research, healthcare, and software development.

Analyzing the broader impact: While the o1 models show impressive capabilities, their full potential and limitations remain to be seen.

• The development of these models raises questions about the future of AI in specialized fields and the potential for AI to augment or even replace human expertise in certain areas.
• As AI continues to advance, it will be crucial to monitor and address ethical concerns, particularly regarding data privacy, bias, and the societal implications of increasingly capable AI systems.
• The introduction of the o1 family also highlights the rapid pace of AI development, underscoring the need for ongoing discussions about AI governance and regulation.