OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has announced a major overhaul of its AI model roadmap, signaling an end to fragmented model offerings and a move toward a more seamless artificial intelligence experience. In a recent update, CEO Sam Altman shared details about the upcoming GPT-4.5 release and the company’s ambitious plans for GPT-5.

Acknowledging the complexity of its product lineup, OpenAI has committed to simplifying user experience by eliminating the need for manual model selection. "We hate the model picker as much as you do," Altman stated, emphasizing the goal of a more unified and intuitive AI system.

GPT-4.5, internally referred to as "Orion," will be the last non-chain-of-thought model OpenAI ships before transitioning to a more integrated approach. This shift marks a strategic effort to merge its o-series and GPT-series models, enabling AI to determine when deeper reasoning or quicker responses are necessary without user intervention.

Following GPT-4.5, OpenAI plans to launch GPT-5 as a comprehensive system that incorporates multiple technological advancements, including capabilities from the o3 model. Unlike previous releases, GPT-5 will not be introduced as a standalone model but will integrate various tools such as voice, canvas, search, and deep research into a single AI framework.

One of the most notable announcements is that the free tier of ChatGPT will provide unlimited access to GPT-5 at its standard intelligence setting, subject to abuse thresholds. Meanwhile, Plus subscribers will have access to a more advanced version of GPT-5, and Pro subscribers will experience an even higher level of intelligence.