The future of ChatGPT is subscription-based intelligence
Matt V
February 14, 2025
OPENAI
Sam Altman has revealed OpenAI’s plans for its next AI models, aiming to simplify the increasingly complex product lineup.
He acknowledged that the current system, where users must select between different models, isn’t ideal and stated the company wants to bring back a more seamless AI experience.
The first step in this shift is GPT-4.5 (codenamed Orion), which Altman says will be the last model without chain-of-thought reasoning.
Subscription tiers
After that, OpenAI will focus on GPT-5, which is designed to unify its different AI models into a single, more powerful system.
This means GPT-5 will integrate features from both the GPT series and the o-series, eliminating o3 as a standalone model.
Altman didn’t confirm exact release dates but hinted at a launch in the coming weeks or months.
What this means for users:
Free users of ChatGPT will get unlimited access at a standard intelligence level.
Plus subscribers will have access to a more advanced version.
Pro users will get the most powerful version of GPT-5.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has made a $97.4 billion offer to acquire OpenAI’s nonprofit arm.
However, the company’s board of directors is expected to reject the bid.
GPT-5 levels sound like a pay-to-win game, and I need cheat codes.