For those who aren't caught up with OpenAI's AI offerings, last year the company announced a new series of AI models, dubbed o1, designed to enhance problem-solving capabilities and complex reasoning skills. What sets o1 apart from models like GPT-4 is that while the latter generates quick responses, the former focuses more on deeper reasoning and problem-solving, taking more time to think before responding.

We got a glimpse of o1's capabilities last year when a researcher used it to create a simple game using the Pygame video game engine. However, the o1 model had some limitations, with the biggest being that users couldn't add images or files to their prompts. But this is changing, as OpenAI recently announced on Twitter/X that o1 will now support both file and image uploads in ChatGPT. This means that users will now be able to ask about objects in images, analyze documents, draw attention to specific areas, and much more.

Competition is kicking things into high gear

This isn't the only update OpenAI is rolling out, as its o3-mini model is also gaining file and image upload support. Additionally, OpenAI has increased the o3-mini-high limits for Plus users by 7x, allowing up to 50 uses per day. This wave of improvements from OpenAI seems to be linked to the Chinese startup DeepSeek, which may have given OpenAI the push users wanted. And this isn't the only major update we've seen in recent weeks.

In fact, OpenAI announced that ChatGPT will no longer require users to create or log in to an account, essentially turning it into an AI-powered search engine that provides direct answers to queries instead of making users sift through search results. On top of that, the company is moving forward with developing its first generation of in-house artificial intelligence silicon, aiming to reduce its reliance on Nvidia's AI chips.

Free users don't have access to the o1 model yet

Unfortunately, OpenAI’s o1 model is not available to free-tier users, which means that only ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers can access the new features. Even then, there's a limit of 50 messages per week, and unlimited access requires a Pro subscription. So, while there's still a paywall for using the o1 model, developers and professionals who regularly rely on such models for their projects will likely appreciate the option to make their prompts even more tailored to their needs.

About the Author

Hassam Nasir

Hassam boasts over seven years of professional experience as a dedicated PC hardware reviewer and writer.