OpenAI’s new GPT-4.5 model is here—and it’s more human than ever
The company is touting the new system as its largest and best model for chat yet.
AI chatbots have come a long way, but there’s always been something a little… robotic about them. OpenAI’s latest release, GPT-4.5, aims to change that. Designed to be warmer, more intuitive, and better at understanding context, it promises to feel more human than ever before.
OpenAI is calling GPT-4.5 its "best model yet" for chat, thanks to scaling in unsupervised learning that allows the model to improve pattern recognition, creative reasoning, and an overall boost in general knowledge. It’s also designed to hallucinate less, meaning users can expect more reliable and accurate responses.
But while it outperforms GPT-4o in everyday interactions, writing, and programming, it’s not a direct replacement for the full-fledged reasoning model like OpenAI’s o-series, which still leads in complex tasks like math and coding.
GPT-4.5 isn’t multimodal either, meaning it doesn’t support voice, video, or screen sharing like GPT-4o does. Instead, OpenAI has focused on making it the most natural-feeling text-based model the company has ever built. Expect smoother back-and-forth conversations, better emotional intelligence, and an AI that understands subtle cues more effectively.
The timing of this release is no coincidence.
OpenAI is rolling out GPT-4.5 just as competition in the AI space heats up. Anthropic has launched a new hybrid reasoning model, Google recently dropped Gemini 2.0, and DeepSeek made waves with a powerful AI trained on a tiny budget. While GPT-4.5 represents an improvement, it’s seen as a stepping stone rather than a major leap forward—especially with the highly anticipated GPT-5 reportedly in the works.
CEO Sam Altman called GPT-4.5 OpenAI’s "last non-chain-of-thought model", suggesting that future AI releases will focus more on advanced reasoning and problem-solving. Research lead Nick Ryder hinted that OpenAI’s goal is to automatically route users to the best AI model for their needs, seamlessly blending different systems.
For now, GPT-4.5 is available as a "research preview" for OpenAI’s Pro users starting today, with Plus and Team users getting access next week, followed by Enterprise and Edu customers. Developers on all paid tiers will also get access today. If you want early access, though, be prepared to shell out $200 per month for ChatGPT Pro.
As AI keeps evolving, OpenAI is betting big on making its models smarter, more human-like, and easier to interact with. And with over 400 million weekly users now on ChatGPT, it looks like people are paying attention.