GPT-4o explained: Everything you need to know (2024)

Feature

OpenAI unveils GPT-4o, a multimodal large language model that supports real-time conversations, Q&A, text generation and more.

OpenAI is one of the defining vendors of the generative AI era.

The foundation of OpenAI's success and popularity is the company's GPT family of large language models (LLM), including GPT-3 and GPT-4, alongside the company's ChatGPT conversational AI service.

OpenAI announced GPT-4 Omni (GPT-4o) as the company's new flagship multimodal language model on May 13, 2024, during the company's Spring Updates event. As part of the event, OpenAI released multiple videos demonstrating the intuitive voice response and output capabilities of the model.

What is GPT-4o?

GPT-4o is the flagship model of the OpenAI LLM technology portfolio. The O stands for Omni and isn't just some kind of marketing hyperbole, but rather a reference to the model's multiple modalities for text, vision and audio.

The GPT-4o model marks a new evolution for the GPT-4 LLM that OpenAI first released in March 2023. This isn't the first update for GPT-4 either, as the model first got a boost in November 2023, with the debut of GPT-4 Turbo. The GPT acronym stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer. A transformer model is a foundational element of generative AI, providing a neural network architecture that is able to understand and generate new outputs.

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GPT-4o goes beyond what GPT-4 Turbo provided in terms of both capabilities and performance. As was the case with its GPT-4 predecessors, GPT-4o can be used for text generation use cases, such as summarization and knowledge-based question and answer. The model is also capable of reasoning, solving complex math problems and coding.

The GPT-4o model introduces a new rapid audio input response that -- according to OpenAI -- is similar to a human, with an average response time of 320 milliseconds. The model can also respond with an AI-generated voice that sounds human.

Rather than having multiple separate models that understand audio, images -- which OpenAI refers to as vision -- and text, GPT-4o combines those modalities into a single model. As such, GPT-4o can understand any combination of text, image and audio input and respond with outputs in any of those forms.

The promise of GPT-4o and its high-speed audio multimodal responsiveness is that it allows the model to engage in more natural and intuitive interactions with users.

What can GPT-4o do?

At the time of its release, GPT-4o was the most capable of all OpenAI models in terms of both functionality and performance.

The many things that GPT-4o can do include the following:

  • Real-time interactions. The GPT-4o model can engage in real-time verbal conversations without any real noticeable delays.
  • Knowledge-based Q&A. As was the case with all prior GPT-4 models, GPT-4o has been trained with a knowledge base and is able to respond to questions.
  • Text summarization and generation. As was the case with all prior GPT-4 models, GPT-4o can execute common text LLM tasks including text summarization and generation.
  • Multimodal reasoning and generation. GPT-4o integrates text, voice and vision into a single model, allowing it to process and respond to a combination of data types. The model can understand audio, images and text at the same speed. It can also generate responses via audio, images and text.
  • Language and audio processing. GPT-4o has advanced capabilities in handling more than 50 different languages.
  • Sentiment analysis. The model understands user sentiment across different modalities of text, audio and video.
  • Voice nuance. GPT-4o can generate speech with emotional nuances. This makes it effective for applications requiring sensitive and nuanced communication.
  • Audio content analysis. The model can generate and understand spoken language, which can be applied in voice-activated systems, audio content analysis and interactive storytelling
  • Real-time translation. The multimodal capabilities of GPT-4o can support real-time translation from one language to another.
  • Image understanding and vision. The model can analyze images and videos, allowing users to upload visual content that GPT-4o will understand, be able to explain and provide analysis for.
  • Data analysis. The vision and reasoning capabilities can enable users to analyze data that is contained in data charts. GPT-4o can also create data charts based on analysis or a prompt.
  • File uploads. Beyond the knowledge cutoff, GPT-4o supports file uploads, letting users analyze specific data for analysis.
  • Memory and contextual awareness. GPT-4o can remember previous interactions and maintain context over longer conversations.
  • Large context window. With a context window supporting up to 128,000 tokens, GPT-4o can maintain coherence over longer conversations or documents, making it suitable for detailed analysis.
  • Reduced hallucination and improved safety. The model is designed to minimize the generation of incorrect or misleading information. GPT-4o includes enhanced safety protocols to ensure outputs are appropriate and safe for users.

How to use GPT-4o

There are several ways users and organizations can use GPT-4o.

  • ChatGPT Free. The GPT-4o model is set to be available to free users of OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot. When available, GPT-4o will replace the current default for ChatGPT Free users. ChatGPT Free users will have restricted message access and will not get access to some advanced features including vision, file uploads and data analysis.
  • ChatGPT Plus. Users of OpenAI's paid service for ChatGPT will get full access to GPT-4o, without the feature restrictions that are in place for free users.
  • API access. Developers can access GPT-4o through OpenAI's API. This allows for integration into applications to make full use of GPT-4o's capabilities for tasks.
  • Desktop applications. OpenAI has integrated GPT-4o into desktop applications, including a new app for Apple's macOS that was also launched on May 13.
  • Custom GPTs. Organizations can create custom GPT versions of GPT-4o tailored to specific business needs or departments. The custom model can potentially be offered to users via OpenAI's GPT Store.
  • Microsoft OpenAI Service. Users can explore GPT-4o's capabilities in a preview mode within the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Studio, specifically designed to handle multimodal inputs including text and vision. This initial release lets Azure OpenAI Service customers test GPT-4o's functionalities in a controlled environment, with plans to expand its capabilities in the future.

GPT-4 vs. GPT-4 Turbo vs. GPT-4o

Here's a quick look at the differences between GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo and GPT-4o:

Feature/ModelGPT-4GPT-4 TurboGPT-4o
Release DateMarch 14, 2023November 2023May 13, 2024
Context Window8,192 tokens128,000 tokens128,000 tokens
Knowledge CutoffSeptember 2021April 2023October 2023
Input ModalitiesText, limited image handlingText, images (enhanced)Text, images, audio (full multimodal capabilities)
Vision CapabilitiesBasicEnhanced, includes image generation via DALL-E 3Advanced vision and audio capabilities
Multimodal CapabilitiesLimitedEnhanced image and text processingFull integration of text, image and audio
CostStandardThree times cheaper for input tokens compared to GPT-450% cheaper than GPT-4 Turbo

Sean Michael Kerner is an IT consultant, technology enthusiast and tinkerer. He has pulled Token Ring, configured NetWare and been known to compile his own Linux kernel. He consults with industry and media organizations on technology issues.

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GPT-4o explained: Everything you need to know (2024)

FAQs

GPT-4o explained: Everything you need to know? ›

GPT-4o integrates text, voice and vision into a single model, allowing it to process and respond to a combination of data types. The model can understand audio, images and text at the same speed. It can also generate responses via audio, images and text. Language and audio processing.

What do you need to know about GPT-4? ›

GPT-4 is a large multimodal model that can mimic prose, art, video or audio produced by a human. GPT-4 is able to solve written problems or generate original text or images. GPT-4 is the fourth generation of OpenAI's foundation model.

What can ChatGPT 4 do? ›

  • GPT-4 is more creative and collaborative than ever before. ...
  • GPT-4 can accept images as inputs and generate captions, classifications, and analyses. ...
  • GPT-4 is capable of handling over 25,000 words of text, allowing for use cases like long form content creation, extended conversations, and document search and analysis.
Mar 13, 2023

What is the context of GPT-4o? ›

In addition, the new tokenizer uses fewer tokens for certain languages, especially languages that are not based on the Latin alphabet, making it cheaper for those languages. GPT-4o has knowledge up to October 2023 and has a context length of 128k tokens with output token limit capped to 2,048.

What GPT-4 Cannot do? ›

GPT4, once trained, does not change during use. It doesn't learn from its mistakes nor from correctly solved problems. It notably lacks an optimization step in problem-solving that would ensure previously unsolvable problems can be solved and that this problem-solving ability persists.

What are the disadvantages of GPT-4? ›

Cons: GPT-4 is not always able to provide accurate information, and it can sometimes generate false information. GPT-4 may not always be contextually appropriate. The use of GPT-4 in chatbots could lead to a reduction in the number of human customer service representatives.

What is GPT-5 capable of? ›

As such, GPT-5 is likely to integrate better multimodal processing, allowing it to understand and generate responses based on a combination of text, images, and possibly other data formats, such as video processing capabilities.

How much does ChatGPT-4 cost per month? ›

Price: $20 per month. Availability: Web or mobile app. Features: Voice recognition; memory retention; multiple GPTs to choose from. Image generation: Yes.

How to use ChatGPT-4 most effectively? ›

However, by following these 7 rules, you can make the most out of ChatGPT-4 prompts and generate high-quality responses.
  1. Clear and specific prompts.
  2. Avoid ambiguity.
  3. Proper grammar and spelling.
  4. Provide context when necessary.
  5. Don't rely solely on ChatGPT-4.
  6. Experiment with different prompts.
  7. Refine prompts over time.

Can ChatGPT-4 read pdf? ›

Can GPT-4 read a PDF? Yes, GPT-4 can read a PDF file. However, you need to pay USD20 per month to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus.

What are the benefits of GPT-4o? ›

One of the most impactful aspects of GPT-4o is its improved cost-effectiveness. Being twice as fast and ~50% cheaper than its predecessor translates to significant business savings. Marketing teams can leverage AI without breaking the bank for content creation, data analysis, and ad campaign optimisation.

Can GPT-4o generate images? ›

The newest model GPT-4o was made available for deployments on Azure AI Studio, however, it is missing important features that are present on the OpenAI's version, such as image interpretation and generation.

Can Turnitin detect GPT-4? ›

The writing characteristics of GPT-4 are also consistent with earlier model versions, meaning Turnitin's AI writing detection tool can detect content from GPT-4 (ChatGPT Plus) most of the time, too.

Can GPT-4 do reasoning? ›

Based on the results of this analysis, the paper argues that, despite the occasional flashes of analytical brilliance, GPT-4 at present is utterly incapable of reasoning.

Can GPT-4 solve circuits? ›

ChatGPT again demonstrated a general understanding of electronic circuitry and an ability to suggest a generic list of troubleshooting steps but it is still simply creating a list of troubleshooting steps that are only loosely related to the description of the problem and the circuit diagram image.

What can ChatGPT 4 do that 3 can't? ›

1. ChatGPT-4 is multimodal and can respond to visual and audio input. In the previous version, you needed to write a prompt using text to generate an output from ChatGPT. With version 4, you can still use text, but you can also offer an image or even a voice command to make a request from the application.

Is it worth buying GPT-4? ›

Conclusion. In a nutshell, ChatGPT-4 represents a leap forward in AI language models. Enhanced reasoning, captivating language, and advanced capabilities make it a worthwhile upgrade. While GPT-3 remains reliable for speed, GPT-4 is your go-to for top-tier performance.

Is GPT-4 free for everyone? ›

This means that everyone can access GPT-4-level intelligence without paying. You might wonder why you would want to keep paying $20 monthly when you can get it for free.

How much does GPT-4 cost? ›

gpt-4 models cost $30.00 per 1M input tokens and $60.00 per 1M output tokens. gpt-4-1106-vision-preview (with GPT_VISION) costs $10.00 per 1M input tokens and $30.00 per 1M output tokens. text-embedding-ada-002 (with GPT_MATCH) costs $0.10 for 1M input tokens.

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