We Are in the Penultimate Stage Before We See the Final Generative Model: Introducing OpenAI o1-preview

Artificial intelligence is undergoing rapid advancements, and with each new release, we move closer to the dream of building AI models that not only generate content but also reason like humans. OpenAI’s latest development, the OpenAI o1-preview, is a testament to this progress, marking a significant leap in the journey toward more capable and thoughtful AI systems. With its focus on enhanced reasoning, the o1 series represents the penultimate step before we reach a level of AI that can solve complex problems with human-like intelligence.

What Makes OpenAI o1 Different?

The OpenAI o1-preview introduces a new series of models designed to spend more time thinking through problems before generating responses. Unlike earlier models, which often relied on quick pattern recognition, the o1 series has been trained to reason through challenging tasks. Whether it's solving intricate math problems, writing complex code, or addressing advanced scientific queries, these models reflect a deeper, more strategic approach to problem-solving.

OpenAI's new models are particularly adept in areas that have long been considered difficult for AI, such as science, coding, and math. The reasoning capabilities of the o1-preview model far exceed those of previous models, making it the go-to solution for anyone dealing with difficult technical problems.

How the o1 Model Thinks

The key innovation behind the o1-preview is the way it approaches problem-solving. Through extensive training, these models have learned to refine their thinking process. Like a human who pauses, reflects, and tries different strategies, the o1 models apply similar techniques, making them remarkably better at tackling complex challenges.

In early tests, OpenAI found that the next update of the o1 model performs at a level comparable to PhD students on benchmark tasks in physics, chemistry, and biology. For example, in a qualifying exam for the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), the o1-preview scored an impressive 83%, compared to GPT-4’s 13%. Additionally, the o1-preview reached the 89th percentile in coding competitions on Codeforces, showing substantial improvements in reasoning-based tasks.

Limitations and Safety Features

While this model marks a significant step forward in AI reasoning, it’s important to note that the o1-preview doesn’t yet have many of the broader features that make models like ChatGPT useful for general purposes, such as web browsing or the ability to upload files and images. Its focus is squarely on complex reasoning tasks, making it a specialized tool for high-level problem-solving in fields like science, engineering, and mathematics.

Safety remains a top priority for OpenAI. The o1-preview model uses its reasoning abilities to better adhere to safety rules. During testing, o1-preview scored 84 on a scale of 0 to 100 in one of the toughest jailbreaking tests (where users attempt to bypass safety guidelines), compared to GPT-4’s score of 22. This reflects a major leap forward in ensuring that these models behave ethically and in line with safety standards.

The Smaller, Cost-Effective Solution: OpenAI o1-mini

In tandem with the o1-preview, OpenAI has also released the OpenAI o1-mini, a smaller, faster, and more cost-effective version. While it doesn’t match the full reasoning capabilities of o1-preview, it excels at coding tasks and is designed to be a budget-friendly solution for developers. At 80% cheaper than o1-preview, o1-mini offers a powerful alternative for applications that require advanced reasoning but don’t need the broad world knowledge or general-purpose capabilities of larger models.

How to Use the OpenAI o1 Series

Starting today, ChatGPT Plus and Team users can access both o1-preview and o1-mini models directly through the model picker in ChatGPT. The initial release includes weekly rate limits of 30 messages for o1-preview and 50 for o1-mini, with plans to expand these limits as the models undergo further testing. ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu users will also gain access to both models starting next week.

For developers, the OpenAI o1 API is now available for those who qualify for usage tier 5. This allows for rapid prototyping with a rate limit of 20 requests per minute (RPM), with plans to increase these limits after further evaluations.

The Road Ahead: What Comes Next?

While OpenAI o1-preview represents a significant milestone, it’s just the beginning. As OpenAI continues to refine this new series, they plan to introduce additional features like browsing, file and image uploading, and further improvements to reasoning capabilities. The development of these models is expected to continue alongside updates to the GPT series, signaling an exciting future for AI innovation.

In conclusion, we truly are in the penultimate stage before reaching the final generative model—one that not only generates information but reasons with near-human precision. With models like OpenAI o1-preview, we’re witnessing a new frontier in AI, one that pushes the boundaries of what machines can achieve in complex reasoning, coding, and science.

As we stand on the edge of this breakthrough, the next chapter in AI is just beginning, and the possibilities are endless.

Thanks
Sreeni Ramadurai