ChatGPT’s Rapid Evolution: New Features and Future Challenges

The AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT, swiftly rose to global prominence after its 2022 debut. From initially assisting with simple writing tasks to becoming a multifaceted tool, it now serves millions of users weekly, constantly evolving with new capabilities and facing complex challenges.

ChatGPT’s Recent Enhancements

In June 2025, Business Insider reported that the average query uses a minimal amount of water, comparable to the energy a lightbulb uses for a few minutes. OpenAI unveiled the o3-pro model, an upgraded version of its AI reasoning model, now available for ChatGPT and Team users, with access for Enterprise and Edu users in the third week of June.

OpenAI o3-pro is available in the model picker for Pro and Team users starting today, replacing OpenAI o1-pro.

Enterprise and Edu users will get access the week after.

As o3-pro uses the same underlying model as o3, full safety details can be found in the o3 system card.…

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) June 10, 2025

OpenAI also enhanced the conversational voice mode for all paid users. This update, as the company said, will help users translate languages more efficiently. Additional features include the incorporation of new functions for business users.

May 2025: New Models and Strategic Moves

OpenAI’s CFO, Sarah Friar, anticipates that hardware will drive ChatGPT’s growth. The company’s AI coding agent, Codex, also debuted. This agent can perform tasks such as writing features, fixing bugs, answering code-related questions, and running tests.

CEO Sam Altman aims to personalize ChatGPT further by tracking a person’s life. Furthermore, OpenAI released its GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini AI models. ChatGPT’s deep research tool now connects with GitHub for code-related queries. OpenAI launched a new data residency program across Asia as well.

OpenAI’s latest actions include the launch of “OpenAI for Countries,” a program meant to develop the necessary local infrastructure. OpenAI intends to work alongside governments for data center capacity expansion. The company is making changes to prevent ChatGPT from becoming sycophantic.

April 2025: Addressing Issues and New Models

OpenAI clarified why ChatGPT had become overly agreeable, a problem leading to a model update. It worked on fixing a bug that allowed minors to engage in inappropriate content. ChatGPT enhanced its web search tool to give customers an improved shopping experience, offering recommendations, images, and reviews.

OpenAI leaders discussed allowing the open model to link up with cloud-hosted models for assistance. OpenAI aims to make its open AI model the best on the market. The company released GPT-4.1 in mid-April, though tests indicated that it was less reliable than earlier releases. OpenAI’s o3 AI model scored lower than expected in a benchmark.

OpenAI launched Flex processing for cheaper and slower AI tasks. Its AI models also now feature safeguards against biorisks. The company released its latest reasoning models, o3 and o4-mini, though these models hallucinate more than older ones.

Open AI added a new section to make it easier to create images. OpenAI has indicated it may adjust its safety if competitors launch “high-risk” AI. The company is also developing its own social media platform to compete with X and other platforms.

OpenAI will discontinue its largest AI model, GPT-4.5, from the API in July. The company unveiled GPT-4.1 AI models that focus on coding, as well. The company will also discontinue GPT-4 in ChatGPT. OpenAI may release GPT-4.1 soon, and updated ChatGPT to use information from previous conversations.

March 2025: Strategic Directions

OpenAI is working on watermarks for images generated with ChatGPT. The company is offering ChatGPT Plus free for U.S. and Canadian college students. ChatGPT users have generated over 700 million images. The Arc Prize Foundation updated the estimated computing costs for OpenAI’s o3 reasoning model; the cost may be significantly higher than initially projected.

CEO Sam Altman mentioned that capacity issues could cause product delays. OpenAI intends to release a new “open” AI language model. The company removed ChatGPT’s image generation restrictions. Sam Altman said that OpenAI expects revenue to triple to $12.7 billion this year, driven by its paid AI software, according to a Bloomberg report. OpenAI is also announcing leadership updates.

OpenAI’s AI voice assistant has new features and improved chatting abilities. OpenAI and Meta are reportedly in talks with Reliance in India for AI collaborations. OpenAI faces a privacy complaint in Europe due to the chatbot’s defamatory statements. The company has upgraded transcription and voice-generating AI models. OpenAI has launched o1-pro, a more advanced version of its o1.

Noam Brown, OpenAI’s research lead, believes that certain AI models could have been developed decades ago. CEO Sam Altman said that the company trained a new model that is really good at creative writing. OpenAI launched new tools to assist businesses in building AI agents. It plans to charge up to $20,000 per month for specialized AI “agents.” ChatGPT can directly edit code in the latest macOS app update.

ChatGPT’s weekly active users doubled in under six months due to new releases.

February 2025 and Beyond

OpenAI canceled its o3 AI model. Research indicates that ChatGPT may not be as power-hungry as previously thought. OpenAI is changing how its o3-mini model communicates its step-by-step thought process. It now allows anyone to use ChatGPT web search without logging in. OpenAI unveiled a new ChatGPT agent for deep research.

For January 2025, OpenAI used a subreddit to test AI persuasion. The company launched o3-mini, a new AI reasoning model. A new report showed that ChatGPT’s mobile users are predominantly male. OpenAI launched a ChatGPT plan for U.S. government agencies.

A survey found that more teens use ChatGPT for schoolwork. OpenAI says it may store Operator data for up to 90 days. OpenAI launched Operator, an AI agent that can perform tasks autonomously. OpenAI’s agent tool will be available to users paying $200 per month. OpenAI tested phone number-only ChatGPT signups. ChatGPT now lets users schedule reminders and recurring tasks.

OpenAI has rolled out new features to customize interactions with ChatGPT. Some users can assign it a preferred name and traits like “chatty” and “Gen Z.” OpenAI is actively innovating, addressing user needs, and navigating the ethical and technical challenges of advanced AI.