IntelScoops

San Francisco, United States – OpenAI has launched GPT-5, the latest version of its flagship AI chatbot, claiming it can deliver “PhD-level” expertise in areas ranging from coding to academic writing.

Co-founder and chief executive Sam Altman described the model as “smarter, faster, and more useful” than its predecessors, positioning it as a leap forward in the capabilities of generative AI. “GPT-3 sort of felt to me like talking to a high school student… 4 felt like you’re kind of talking to a college student. GPT-5 is the first time that it really feels like talking to an expert in any topic,” Altman said ahead of Thursday’s launch.

OpenAI says the model offers improved reasoning, more transparent logic in answers, and fewer “hallucinations” – the term for AI responses that invent false information. It is also pitched as a powerful assistant for software developers, capable of creating entire programs.

The release comes as major technology companies compete for leadership in the AI space. Elon Musk recently made similar claims about his own chatbot, Grok, integrated into social media platform X, calling it “better than PhD level in everything.”

Not all experts share the hype. Professor Carissa Véliz of the Institute for Ethics in AI cautioned that while GPT-5 is technically impressive, such systems “can only mimic – rather than truly emulate – human reasoning.” She warned that the business model behind AI remains unproven, with companies relying heavily on maintaining public excitement.

Gaia Marcus, director of the Ada Lovelace Institute, said the launch underscored the urgent need for comprehensive AI regulation. “As these models become more capable, the need for oversight grows more pressing,” she noted.

Early access testing by BBC technology correspondent Marc Cieslak found the chatbot’s experience broadly similar to its predecessor, with refinements in reasoning rather than a radical overhaul. Critics say the claims of “revolution” may be more marketing than reality.

OpenAI has also announced changes to ChatGPT’s conversational approach, aiming to prevent over-personalised interactions and avoid giving definitive advice on sensitive personal matters. The company said it will instead guide users to weigh pros and cons in decisions, reflecting growing awareness of AI’s influence on user relationships.

GPT-5 is now being rolled out to all users, with a free tier available, in what some analysts see as a strategic shift away from the fully proprietary model approach. Whether it lives up to Altman’s promise of expert-level performance will become clearer in the weeks ahead.