Chat GPT reaches 'PhD level' with new features but could it replace humans?
Many Brits may dabble in ChatGPT in their daily lives. The AI assistant can be used to do things like draw up a travel itinerary for a summer holiday or to give advice on the best way to cook a steak ahead of a big meal at home.
But could the platform ever replace humans? ChatGPT is a conversational AI chatbot developed by OpenAI that can engage in conversations, generate human-like text, and perform tasks like writing essays and maths equations.
The chatbot, then, is already very human-like, and developers have waded in on whether it could encroach on, or indeed override, our own day-to-day capabilities with the first major update it's had in years in the form of GPT-5.
GPT‑5 is a "significant leap in intelligence over all our previous models," its maker OpenAI said. It is a "unified system that knows when to respond quickly and when to think longer to provide expert-level responses."
Dubbed "smarter, faster, and more useful," GPT-5's makers say it can provide PhD-level expertise in areas such as coding and writing.
"GPT-5 is really the first time that I think one of our mainline models has felt like you can ask a legitimate expert, a PhD-level expert, anything," OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said at a press briefing.
GPT-5 can create software in its entirety and demonstrate better reasoning capabilities - with answers that show workings, logic and inference. The company claims it has been trained to be more honest, provide users with more accurate responses and says that, overall, it feels more human.
"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," he said in a briefing ahead of Thursday's launch. "GPT-5 is the first time that it really feels like talking to an expert in any topic, like a PhD-level expert."
However, Altman has stressed that the system is still a long way from replacing humans.
For instance, GPT‑5 is the "best model yet" for health-related questions, "empowering users to be informed about and advocate for their health" - but makers insist it "does not replace a medical professional".
"Think of it as a partner to help you understand results, ask the right questions in the time you have with providers, and weigh options as you make decisions," they said.
What's more, OpenAI is making changes to promote a healthier relationship between users and ChatGPT.
In a blog post it said: "AI can feel more responsive and personal than prior technologies, especially for vulnerable individuals experiencing mental or emotional distress."
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It said it would not give a definitive answer to questions such as, "Should I break up with my boyfriend?" Instead, it would "help you think it through - asking questions, weighing pros and cons".
In the same vein, Prof Carissa Véliz of the Institute for Ethics in AI told the BBC that GPT-5 can only copy - rather than truly emulate - human reasoning abilities, and that the hype is more to do with making money.
"These systems... haven't been able to be really profitable," she said. "There is a fear that we need to keep up the hype, or else the bubble might burst, and so it might be that it's mostly marketing."
Features users get access to without paying
The difference between free and paid access to GPT‑5 is usage volume. At some point on the free tier, your access to GPT-5 will reach the usage limit, and then you'll be kicked back to GPT-5 mini.
Plus subscribers will get significantly higher usage volume before that happens.
Writing improvements
Nearly three years ago, ChatGPT introduced the world to generative AI, dazzling users with its ability to write humanlike prose and poetry. GPT-5's prose has a lot more rhythm and beat to it, according to TechRada r.
"These improved writing capabilities mean that ChatGPT is better at helping you with everyday tasks like drafting and editing reports, emails, and memos," according to OpenAI.
ChatGPT Voice
With the free tier, you still only get limited access to ChatGPT-5's voice mode (along with file uploads, image creation, and data analysis), but you should get more access per day now than you did before.
What used to be called 'Advanced voice mode' is now called 'ChatGPT voice'. OpenAI says that 'Standard Voice Mode retires on September 9, 2025, unifying all users on ChatGPT Voice'.
ChatGPT Voice is better than before, with more natural-sounding conversations. Hit the voice button on the mobile app for ChatGPT to give it a go right now.
New highlight colours
You can now add accent colours to your chats in the Settings. These apply to elements in ChatGPT-5 like conversation bubbles and highlighted text. This is the first time colour has been used in the ChatGPT interface.
ChatGPT-5 has better memory, reduces hallucinations, and as a free user, you'll get all that, too. The new version will be available to all 700 million users of ChatGPT, its makers OpenAI said.
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