OpenAI has recently announced a new subscription plan called ChatGPT Pro, priced at $200 per month. This plan includes access to the advanced o1 model, which now supports images and has improved skills in mathematics and coding. As someone who has been following these developments closely, here are my thoughts on this new offering.
I think it's really cool that OpenAI is making progress again. Recently, there were concerns that AI development had hit a plateau because it required much more power for even small breakthroughs. With the new o1 model, these fears are eased. The o1 model's ability to handle images and perform better in math and coding is impressive. It shows that AI is still advancing and becoming more capable.
The price of $200 per month for ChatGPT Pro seems reasonable to me. There will definitely be people who are willing to pay this without hesitation. However, the big question is whether the service is good enough to keep subscribers. Some online reviews mention that ChatGPT Pro is about 11% better in coding compared to the standard version. But considering it's usually 10 times more expensive than the regular subscription, it might not be the best deal for everyone. For some, a cheaper alternative like Claude 3.5 might be more appealing. I'm waiting to see what the first users have to say before making a final judgment.
Access to the o1 pro mode is a major plus for users who work with more complex queries. I believe this will have a positive impact, especially for those in scientific fields like math, physics, chemistry, and medicine. With more powerful reasoning capabilities, the o1 pro mode can help achieve breakthroughs and solve difficult problems more efficiently.
Finally, OpenAI decided to make the o1 model available to all paid users and move it out of the preview stage. I'm really excited about this change and can't wait to try it out. It's great to see OpenAI making advanced models more accessible, allowing more people to benefit from their capabilities.
ChatGPT Pro also offers unlimited access to the voice module and improved answers to complex questions. However, I'm not sure how many users will regularly use the unlimited voice feature. It might be useful for some, but it may not be a deciding factor for everyone.
There are also rumors about a $2,000 per month subscription. I can see this being a reality for professional, governmental, and scientific users. It would be something between the regular web version and API access, possibly providing access to AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) that can work on tasks for hours. This higher-tier subscription could be very valuable for those who need advanced AI capabilities for their work.
Conclusion
OpenAI's ChatGPT Pro offers exciting new features and improved models like o1, but the high price tag may limit its appeal to a broader audience. It will be interesting to see how users respond and whether the benefits justify the cost. For those who need advanced AI for complex tasks, ChatGPT Pro could be a great investment. However, others might prefer sticking with more affordable options until they see more feedback from early adopters.