On September 17, 2024, OpenAI unveiled its new AI models, o1-preview and o1-mini, designed to tackle complex reasoning tasks more effectively than their predecessors, such as GPT-4o. The new models bring a focus on deeper thinking and problem-solving in fields like science, math, and coding. But how do these models really compare to GPT-4o? Let’s dive into the innovations behind o1-preview and o1-mini and explore where GPT-4o might still come out on top.
1. Is GPT-4o Being Replaced by o1-preview?
The introduction of the ChatGPT o1-preview series marks a fundamental shift in how AI models process information and solve problems. Unlike GPT-4o, the o1-preview model is designed to spend more time thinking before providing an answer. It mimics the human approach to tackling difficult tasks—analyzing, trying different strategies, identifying mistakes, and correcting them.
In tests conducted by OpenAI, o1 models demonstrated significantly better performance in solving complex problems in physics, chemistry, and biology. While GPT-4o correctly solved only 13% of tasks in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) qualifying exam, the o1-preview model successfully solved 83%. This demonstrates the o1 models’ superior reasoning capabilities in complex contexts.
And here is an interesting fact: ChatGPT o1-preview couldn’t generate content about itself. The reason for this might stem from the limitations in its knowledge base and the stage of its development. While o1-preview models excel at reasoning and complex analysis, their knowledge base may not be as broad as GPT-4o’s. As a pre-release model, o1-preview may lack detailed access to its own architecture or the context in which it was developed. Additionally, since o1-preview is designed for tasks requiring deep thought and complex problem-solving, it may not be as effective in generating content about its own evolution—something GPT-4o, with its broader general knowledge, can handle more efficiently. As an early-stage model, the o1-preview’s knowledge base and functionality may still be partially limited compared to more mature models like GPT-4o.
2. Advanced Coding and Debugging Capabilities
The o1 series, particularly o1-mini, also stands out in generating and debugging complex code. This is a key feature for developers who need a tool to solve technical problems and write code at an advanced level. In programming competitions, the o1 model reached the 89th percentile in Codeforces contests, representing a significant improvement compared to GPT-4o.
However, GPT-4o’s speed may be crucial in scenarios where response time is a priority. Since GPT-4o doesn’t spend as much time on deep reasoning, its responses can be provided faster, which is important for simpler tasks that don’t require intensive analysis. For example, GPT-4o generates responses at 103 tokens per second, while o1-mini generates at 73.9 tokens per second. This speed difference makes GPT-4o particularly well-suited for tasks like customer service or real-time data analysis, where quick replies are essential. While o1-mini excels at coding and technical tasks, GPT-4o remains the better choice for scenarios where speed and multitasking are more important than deep problem-solving.
ChatGPT o1-mini was specifically designed with speed and efficiency in mind. It is a smaller model that retains the reasoning capabilities of the o1 series but is 80% cheaper than the o1-preview version. This makes o1-mini an ideal choice for developers and companies who need a cost-effective model for solving programming problems but don’t require broad world knowledge.
3. Safety and Responsibility
A significant aspect of the new model series is also safety. OpenAI has introduced a new training approach that allows these models to reason in the context of safety principles and follow them more effectively. As a result, the o1 models handle situations where users attempt to bypass safety rules (so-called “jailbreaking“) more adeptly. While GPT-4o scored 22 out of 100 in one of the most difficult jailbreak tests, the o1-preview model achieved an impressive score of 84.
Additionally, OpenAI has implemented new internal procedures, including advanced testing and collaboration with governmental institutions, to ensure the safety and compliance of its models with current regulations.
4. Availability and Pricing
OpenAI’s ChatGPT o1-preview and o1-mini are available to various user groups, including ChatGPT Plus, Team, Enterprise, and Edu subscribers. The release of these new models is particularly beneficial for professional users looking for tools to help them solve complex problems and developers who can use the models to generate and debug code.
Availability for ChatGPT Plus and Team Users
ChatGPT Plus and Team users can now access both models—o1-preview and o1-mini. Initial message limits are as follows:
- 30 messages per week for o1-preview.
- 50 messages per week for o1-mini. The subscription price for ChatGPT Plus is $20 per month. As part of this plan, users also gain access to other advanced models, such as GPT-4, and now to the new o1 series.
The subscription price for ChatGPT Plus is $20 per month. As part of this plan, users also gain access to other advanced models, such as GPT-4, and now to the new o1 series.
Availability for ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu Users
ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu users will gain access to both models in the coming week. These models will be especially useful in educational and corporate sectors, where complex tasks related to science, data analysis, and programming are common.
Availability for API Developers
Developers eligible for the 5th level of API usage can now prototype with both models via the API. Initially, the limit is 20 requests per minute (RPM), but OpenAI is working to increase these limits after additional testing.
- It’s important to note that the API for the o1-preview and o1-mini models currently does not support features like function calling, streaming, or system messages, but these features may be added in the future.
Cost of o1-mini ChatGPT o1-mini
ChatGPT o1-mini stands out for its affordability compared to other models. It is 80% cheaper than the o1-preview version, making it more accessible and economical, especially for developers who need a tool to solve coding problems without requiring the broader knowledge that larger models like o1-preview offer. However, the o1-preview model costs $60 per million output tokens, while GPT-4o costs only $10 per million tokens, making o1-preview six times more expensive. This cost difference highlights that while o1-preview offers enhanced reasoning, GPT-4o remains a more cost-effective option for general tasks that don’t require advanced reasoning capabilities.
Availability for Free ChatGPT Users
OpenAI also plans to make ChatGPT o1-mini available to all free ChatGPT users. This step will significantly increase the availability of this advanced tool, making it accessible not only to professionals but also to a broader group of users.
5. What’s next?
The ChatGPT o1-preview series is just the beginning of a new era in AI development, focusing on reasoning and the ability to analyze problems more deeply. In the coming months, OpenAI plans to introduce further updates, including the addition of features like web browsing, file and image uploads, which will make these models even more useful across a wide range of applications.
Additionally, the company plans to continue developing and releasing models from its GPT series, alongside the new o1 series, indicating that users will have access to increasingly specialized tools for solving complex problems, both for everyday tasks and advanced scientific or technological challenges.
Summary
ChatGPT o1-preview and o1-mini represent a significant step forward compared to GPT-4o. With enhanced reasoning capabilities, greater precision in generating and debugging code, and better adherence to safety principles, the o1 series opens up new possibilities for users and developers. ChatGPT o1-preview is ideal for solving complex problems, while o1-mini offers a faster, cheaper alternative, especially suited for coding environments.
While GPT-4o may be less advanced in terms of reasoning, it remains a powerful tool for tasks that require quick responses, broad world knowledge, and multitasking. Its multimodal capabilities—handling text, images, and even audio—make GPT-4o better suited for everyday, less specialized tasks that don’t require deep reasoning but demand flexibility in processing different types of data. This gives GPT-4o an edge in tasks like content generation, customer service, and handling multimodal inputs, whereas the o1 models are more specialized for highly complex tasks like advanced math, scientific problems, and technical coding.
Once again, OpenAI is pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve, introducing models with greater efficiency, safety, and accessibility that could significantly change how we use AI technology.
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between ChatGPT o1-preview and GPT-4o?
The main difference lies in how these models approach problem-solving and knowledge processing. ChatGPT o1-preview is designed for tasks that require deeper reasoning and multi-step analysis, making it more suitable for solving complex problems in fields like mathematics, science, and coding. On the other hand, GPT-4o excels in general knowledge tasks and multimodal capabilities, processing text, images, and audio simultaneously. While GPT-4o is faster and more versatile, o1-preview focuses on providing more thoughtful, accurate answers in specialized areas.
Why is ChatGPT o1-preview better at reasoning tasks compared to GPT-4o?
ChatGPT o1-preview uses a method called “chain of thought” reasoning, which enables it to break down complex tasks into smaller steps. This allows the model to reflect on its process, try multiple approaches, and learn from its mistakes. As a result, it performs much better in tasks requiring logical reasoning, such as physics or advanced coding problems. In contrast, GPT-4o is built for faster processing and may not engage in such in-depth reasoning, focusing instead on generating more immediate responses to general questions.
Is GPT-4o faster than ChatGPT o1-preview?
Yes, GPT-4o is significantly faster than ChatGPT o1-preview in generating responses. For example, GPT-4o generates responses at a rate of 103 tokens per second, while o1-mini—a smaller version of o1-preview—generates at 73.9 tokens per second. This speed makes GPT-4o more suitable for tasks where quick responses are critical, such as customer service or real-time data analysis, whereas o1-preview spends more time processing complex reasoning tasks.
Why couldn’t ChatGPT o1-preview generate content about itself?
ChatGPT o1-preview struggled to generate content about its own development due to limitations in its knowledge base and the fact that it’s a pre-release model. While o1-preview is designed for reasoning and analysis, its broader knowledge capabilities are not as advanced as GPT-4o’s. Additionally, as a pre-release model, o1-preview may not have full access to detailed information about its own architecture or context, unlike GPT-4o, which is built to handle a wide range of topics and has access to a larger general knowledge base.
Is ChatGPT o1-mini a better option for developers?
For developers, ChatGPT o1-mini is a more affordable and efficient model for coding and debugging tasks. It retains the reasoning capabilities of the o1-preview model but comes at a lower cost—80% cheaper than o1-preview—making it a cost-effective solution for solving technical problems. However, it may not be as suitable for tasks that require broad world knowledge or multimodal inputs, which is where GPT-4o excels.
How does pricing differ between ChatGPT o1-preview and GPT-4o?
There is a significant difference in pricing between the two models. ChatGPT o1-preview costs $60 per million output tokens, while GPT-4o costs only $10 per million tokens. This makes GPT-4o six times cheaper than o1-preview. Developers and users who need advanced reasoning for specialized tasks may find o1-preview worth the investment, while those focusing on general tasks may prefer GPT-4o for its affordability.
Can ChatGPT o1-preview and GPT-4o handle multimodal inputs?
GPT-4o is better suited for handling multimodal tasks like processing text, images, and audio simultaneously, making it a versatile tool for content creation, customer service, and real-time interactions. In contrast, ChatGPT o1-preview is more specialized and does not yet support multimodal processing to the same degree. Its strength lies in handling complex reasoning tasks, but for multimodal needs, GPT-4o is the superior choice.
Who should choose ChatGPT o1-preview over GPT-4o?
Users who require deep reasoning and problem-solving capabilities should opt for ChatGPT o1-preview. It’s ideal for those working in fields like advanced mathematics, scientific research, and complex coding. On the other hand, GPT-4o remains a better choice for users who need a general-purpose model with faster response times and broader knowledge across a variety of topics. It’s also more cost-effective for everyday tasks.
What safety improvements does ChatGPT o1-preview offer?
One of the key advancements in ChatGPT o1-preview is its improved adherence to safety guidelines. Through enhanced reasoning capabilities, it is better equipped to recognize and follow safety rules, making it more resistant to “jailbreaking” attempts. In safety tests, o1-preview scored 84 out of 100, while GPT-4o scored only 22 out of 100, demonstrating its superior ability to maintain safety and alignment with usage guidelines.
Will ChatGPT o1-mini be available to free users?
Yes, OpenAI plans to make ChatGPT o1-mini available to all free ChatGPT users in the future. This move will significantly increase access to this advanced tool, allowing not only professionals but also a wider range of users to benefit from its reasoning and coding capabilities. This is particularly exciting for developers and technical users who are seeking a more cost-effective yet powerful AI model for their projects.