# ChatGPT: Everything You Need to Know About the AI-Powered Chatbot

## ChatGPT: Everything You Need to Know About the AI-Powered Chatbot

ChatGPT, OpenAI’s groundbreaking text-generating AI chatbot, continues to dominate the tech landscape. Since its initial launch in November 2022, it has evolved from a productivity tool for generating essays and code to a platform boasting a massive 300 million weekly active users. This article provides a comprehensive overview of ChatGPT, covering its evolution, key updates, controversies, and future trajectory.

**A Look Back at 2024: OpenAI’s Banner Year**

2024 proved to be a pivotal year for OpenAI. The company solidified its position as an AI leader through strategic partnerships and product innovations:

* **Apple Intelligence Integration:** A significant collaboration with Apple brought ChatGPT to its core applications, including Siri, powering the new “Apple Intelligence” generative AI suite.
* **GPT-4o with Voice Capabilities:** The release of GPT-4o marked a leap forward, introducing real-time voice interaction capabilities.
* **Sora Text-to-Video Model:** The highly anticipated launch of Sora promised to revolutionize video creation, though its availability in the EU remained uncertain at launch.

However, 2024 wasn’t without its challenges. OpenAI experienced internal turmoil, including the departures of key executives like co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, and CTO Mira Murati. The company also faced legal battles, including copyright infringement lawsuits from Alden Global Capital-owned newspapers and an injunction from Elon Musk challenging OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit entity.

**2025: Battling Competition and Forging Ahead**

In 2025, OpenAI is striving to maintain its dominance amidst growing competition, particularly from Chinese AI rivals like DeepSeek. The company is actively working to strengthen its relationship with Washington while simultaneously pursuing ambitious data center projects in collaboration with SoftBank and Oracle. Furthermore, OpenAI is reportedly preparing for a massive funding round, potentially valuing the company at a staggering $340 billion.

**Timeline of Recent ChatGPT Updates**

Here’s a breakdown of the most recent ChatGPT updates, categorized by month:

**April 2025**

* **Cloud Model Assistance:** OpenAI is exploring allowing its open AI model to access cloud-hosted models to improve its ability to answer complex questions.
* **”Open” AI Model Development:** OpenAI aims to release an AI system that will be openly accessible, allowing users to download it for free without API restrictions. Aidan Clark, OpenAI’s VP of research, is leading the development.
* **GPT-4.1 Alignment Concerns:** The newly released GPT-4.1 model has faced scrutiny for potentially being less aligned with safety protocols compared to earlier versions. OpenAI did not release a system card for it.
* **o3 Model Benchmark Discrepancies:** Questions have arisen regarding OpenAI’s transparency after benchmark results for the o3 model differed significantly between first- and third-party tests.
* **Flex Processing for Cost-Effective Tasks:** The introduction of Flex processing offers users a lower-cost API option for AI tasks, albeit with slower response times.
* **Biorisk Safeguards:** New systems have been implemented to monitor OpenAI’s reasoning models (o3 and o4 mini) for potentially harmful biological and chemical threat-related queries.
* **New Reasoning Models (o3 and o4-mini):** OpenAI launched two new reasoning models, o3 and o4 mini, which can use ChatGPT features like web browsing, coding, and image processing and generation. However, they are prone to hallucinating.
* **Simplified Image Creation:** A new “library” section in ChatGPT provides easier access to AI-generated images for all user tiers.
* **Safeguard Adjustments Based on Competitor Actions:** OpenAI has stated it may revise its safety standards if a rival releases a “high-risk” AI system without comparable safeguards.
* **Social Media Network Development:** OpenAI is reportedly developing its own social media platform to compete with X and Instagram.
* **GPT-4.5 API Sunset:** OpenAI will discontinue its largest AI model, GPT-4.5, from its API in July, offering it only as a research preview for paying customers.
* **GPT-4.1 Coding-Focused Models:** OpenAI has released GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and GPT-4.1 nano, with a specific focus on coding capabilities, rivalling Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro, Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and DeepSeek’s upgraded V3.
* **GPT-4 Discontinuation:** OpenAI will discontinue ChatGPT’s GPT-4 at the end of April, replacing it with GPT-4o. GPT-4 will still be available via OpenAI’s API.
* **Potential GPT-4.1 Release:** OpenAI may launch several new AI models, including GPT-4.1 and smaller versions like GPT-4.1 mini and nano, soon.
* **Conversation Memory:** ChatGPT has been updated to remember previous conversations and customize its responses accordingly.
* **Image Watermarking:** OpenAI is working on a watermarking feature for images generated using GPT-4o.
* **Free ChatGPT Plus for Students:** OpenAI is offering ChatGPT Plus for free to U.S. and Canadian college students through the end of May.
* **Image Generation Milestone:** ChatGPT users have generated over 700 million images since the image generator upgrade on March 25.
* **o3 Model Cost Concerns:** The Arc Prize Foundation estimates that running OpenAI’s o3 model could cost significantly more than initial estimates.
* **Capacity Issues and Product Delays:** OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned that capacity issues may cause product releases to be delayed.

**March 2025**

* **New “Open” AI Language Model:** OpenAI plans to release its “first” open language model since GPT-2 “in the coming months.”
* **Image Generation Restriction Removal:** OpenAI has removed restrictions on image generation in ChatGPT, allowing it to generate images of public figures, hateful symbols, and racial features when requested.
* **Adoption of Anthropic’s Standard:** OpenAI wants to incorporate Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) into all of its products, including the ChatGPT desktop app.
* **Studio Ghibli-Style Image Concerns:** OpenAI’s viral Studio Ghibli-style images have sparked concerns about AI copyright infringement.
* **Revenue Projections:** OpenAI expects revenue to triple to $12.7 billion in 2025.
* **Image Generation Upgrade:** ChatGPT has upgraded its image-generation feature to generate and edit images and photos directly using GPT-4o.
* **Leadership Updates:** Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s chief operating officer, will lead the company’s global expansion and manage corporate partnerships.
* **Advanced AI Voice Assistant:** OpenAI has updated its AI voice assistant with improved chatting capabilities.
* **Reliance Collaboration:** OpenAI and Meta have separately engaged in discussions with Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries regarding potential collaborations to enhance their AI services in the country.
* **Privacy Complaint in Europe:** OpenAI faces a privacy complaint in Europe for ChatGPT’s defamatory hallucinations.
* **Transcription and Voice Model Upgrades:** OpenAI has added new transcription and voice-generating AI models to its APIs.
* **o1-pro Launch:** OpenAI has launched o1-pro, a more powerful version of its o1 “reasoning” AI model, in its developer API.
* **AI Reasoning Model Insights:** OpenAI research lead Noam Brown thinks AI “reasoning” models could’ve arrived decades ago.
* **Creative Writing AI Model:** OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company has trained a “new model” that’s “really good” at creative writing.
* **AI Agent Tools:** OpenAI launched new tools designed to help developers and businesses build AI agents.
* **Specialized AI Agents Pricing:** OpenAI reportedly plans to charge up to $20,000 a month for specialized AI ‘agents.’
* **Direct Code Editing:** The latest version of the macOS ChatGPT app allows users to edit code directly in supported developer tools.
* **Weekly Active User Growth:** ChatGPT’s weekly active users doubled in less than 6 months, thanks to new releases.

**February 2025**

* **o3 Model Cancellation:** OpenAI cancels its o3 AI model in favor of a ‘unified’ next-gen release.
* **Power Consumption Estimates:** ChatGPT may not be as power-hungry as once assumed, with recent analyses suggesting lower energy consumption per query than previously reported.
* **o3-mini Thought Process Revelation:** OpenAI now reveals more of its o3-mini model’s thought process.
* **Web Search Access Without Login:** You can now use ChatGPT web search without logging in.
* **New ChatGPT Agent for ‘Deep Research’:** OpenAI unveils a new ChatGPT agent for ‘deep research.’

**January 2025**

* **AI Persuasion Testing:** OpenAI used a subreddit to test AI persuasion.
* **o3-mini Launch:** OpenAI launches o3-mini, its latest ‘reasoning’ model.
* **Mobile User Demographics:** ChatGPT’s mobile users are 85% male, according to a report.
* **ChatGPT Gov Launch:** OpenAI launches ChatGPT plan for US government agencies.
* **Increased Teen Usage:** More teens report using ChatGPT for schoolwork, despite the tech’s faults.
* **Operator Data Retention:** OpenAI says it may store deleted Operator data for up to 90 days.
* **Operator Launch:** OpenAI launches Operator, an AI agent that performs tasks autonomously.
* **Pro Plan Preview:** OpenAI may preview its agent tool for users on the $200-per-month Pro plan.
* **Phone Number Signups:** OpenAI tests phone number-only ChatGPT signups.
* **Reminder Feature:** ChatGPT now lets you schedule reminders and recurring tasks.
* **Customizable Traits:** New ChatGPT feature lets users assign it traits like ‘chatty’ and ‘Gen Z.’

**ChatGPT FAQs**

* **What is ChatGPT? How does it work?** ChatGPT is a general-purpose chatbot developed by OpenAI that uses artificial intelligence to generate text after a user enters a prompt. The chatbot uses GPT-4o, a large language model that uses deep learning to produce human-like text.
* **When did ChatGPT get released?** November 30, 2022.
* **What is the latest version of ChatGPT?** Both the free version of ChatGPT and the paid ChatGPT Plus are regularly updated with new GPT models. The most recent model is GPT-4o.
* **Can I use ChatGPT for free?** Yes, a free version is available, requiring only a sign-in.
* **Who uses ChatGPT?** Anyone can use ChatGPT! Tech companies and search engines are increasingly utilizing it.
* **What companies use ChatGPT?** Multiple enterprises, including Microsoft (integrating it into Windows 11), Looking Glass (for creating interactive holograms), and Solana (integrating it into its blockchain network).
* **What does GPT mean in ChatGPT?** Generative Pre-Trained Transformer.
* **What is the difference between ChatGPT and a chatbot?** A chatbot can be any software/system that holds dialogue, while ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot that utilizes LLM technology.
* **Can ChatGPT write essays?** Yes.
* **Can ChatGPT commit libel?** Due to the nature of how these models work, they don’t know or care whether something is true, only that it looks true. That’s a problem when you’re using it to do your homework, sure, but when it accuses you of a crime you didn’t commit, that may well at this point be libel.
* **Does ChatGPT have an app?** Yes, there is a free ChatGPT mobile app for iOS and Android users.
* **What is the ChatGPT character limit?** It’s not documented anywhere that ChatGPT has a character limit. However, users have noted that there are some character limitations after around 500 words.
* **Does ChatGPT have an API?** Yes, it was released March 1, 2023.
* **What are some sample everyday uses for ChatGPT?** Programming, scripts, email replies, listicles, blog ideas, summarization, etc.
* **What are some advanced uses for ChatGPT?** Debugging code, programming languages, scientific concepts, complex problem solving, etc.
* **How good is ChatGPT at writing code?** It depends on the nature of the program. While ChatGPT can write workable Python code, it can’t necessarily program an entire app’s worth of code. That’s because ChatGPT lacks context awareness.
* **Can you save a ChatGPT chat?** Yes. OpenAI allows users to save chats in the ChatGPT interface, stored in the sidebar of the screen.
* **Are there alternatives to ChatGPT?** Yes. There are multiple AI-powered chatbot competitors such as Together, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude, and developers are creating open source alternatives.
* **How does ChatGPT handle data privacy?** OpenAI has said that individuals in “certain jurisdictions” (such as the EU) can object to the processing of their personal information by its AI models by filling out this form.
* **What controversies have surrounded ChatGPT?** Recently, Discord announced that it had integrated OpenAI’s technology into its bot named Clyde where two users tricked Clyde into providing them with instructions for making the illegal drug methamphetamine (meth) and the incendiary mixture napalm.
* **Where can I find examples of ChatGPT prompts?** Several marketplaces host and provide ChatGPT prompts, either for free or for a nominal fee. One is PromptBase. Another is ChatX.
* **Can ChatGPT be detected?** Poorly. Several tools claim to detect ChatGPT-generated text, but in our tests, they’re inconsistent at best.
* **Are ChatGPT chats public?** No. But OpenAI recently disclosed a bug, since fixed, that exposed the titles of some users’ conversations to other people on the service.
* **What lawsuits are there surrounding ChatGPT?** None specifically targeting ChatGPT. But OpenAI is involved in at least one lawsuit that has implications for AI systems trained on publicly available data, which would touch on ChatGPT.
* **Are there issues regarding plagiarism with ChatGPT?** Yes. Text-generating AI models like ChatGPT have a tendency to regurgitate content from their training data.

**Conclusion**

ChatGPT’s journey has been remarkable, marked by rapid innovation, widespread adoption, and its fair share of challenges. As OpenAI continues to refine its models, expand its capabilities, and navigate the competitive AI landscape, ChatGPT is poised to remain a central player in shaping the future of AI-driven communication and content creation. Keep checking back for the latest updates as the story unfolds.