OpenAI rolls out o3-mini AI model for free and paid ChatGPT users
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced the global release of the company's latest reasoning-focused AI model, o3-mini. This model will now be accessible to both free and paid ChatGPT users. In a series of updates shared on X (formerly Twitter), Altman also revealed that OpenAI's AI agent, Operator, will soon be available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers.
Introduction of o3 series
The o3 series, which includes o3 and o3-mini, was initially presented as a research preview in December 2024. These AI models were specifically designed to surpass their predecessors, especially in coding, mathematics, and natural language processing. With this recent rollout, OpenAI is making o3-mini widely available, including to users on the free tier, with certain limitations in place.
Altman confirmed that users on ChatGPT's free tier will have access to o3-mini, but with expected usage limits, similar to the previous o1 model that only allowed five queries per day. On the other hand, ChatGPT Plus subscribers will have the ability to make up to 100 queries daily using the o3-mini model.
Altman also mentioned that the Plus tier users will have the advantage of getting 100 o3-mini queries per day, bringing Operator to the Plus tier soon, and launching the next agent with availability in the Plus tier. This is a significant enhancement for users in terms of access and capabilities.
Enhanced AI Models and Future Releases
OpenAI aims to ensure that its latest AI advancements are accessible to a broader audience while providing a premium experience for paying users. Altman hinted at an upgraded version of the o3 series, known as o3 Pro, which will be exclusively available to Pro users in the near future.
Aside from the AI model rollout, OpenAI is also gearing up to extend access to Operator, an AI agent created to autonomously carry out online tasks based on user instructions. Initially available only to Pro subscribers in the U.S. as part of a research preview, Operator can manage various real-world tasks such as booking tickets, making reservations, and online shopping.
Altman assured ChatGPT Plus users that they will have immediate access to upcoming AI agent releases, unlike the phased introduction of Operator, which was initially exclusive to Pro subscribers.
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