OpenAI has released its upgraded conversational bot, GPT-4o, which is faster, more friendly, and can read and discuss images and muted video.
In its announcement, OpenAI presented how the bot has improved conversational rhythm, with the ability to be interrupted, sound more chatty, and according to witnesses of the live demo, sometimes even flirt.
GPT-4o can also present the workings of an equation, rather than simply giving the answer, while it has improved performance in analysing computer code, and enhanced translation abilities.
According to OpenAI, it is working on the ability to understand video with audio – at the moment it only understands video without – although as its previous models have shown, it can be spoken to live.
“With this release, ChatGPT will become similar to an AI assistant like Alexa or Siri,” says Alon Yamin, co-founder and CEO of software firm Copyleaks.
“OpenAI is intentionally putting the focus on the interaction between technology and humans, which can offer important feedback for possible future offerings, like a search engine.”
Also in the demo, OpenAI showed how the bot can recognise a smiling man, although according to the BBC, it initially mistook him for a wooden surface, proving that glitches and hallucinations are still an issue.
“While it may be more advanced, it still isn’t without potential flaws, such as misinformation. So, the need for tools to set guardrails is becoming more essential,” added Yamin.
Since ChatGPT’s release, it has rapidly integrated itself into society. Businesses are seeing an uptick with its ability to shortcut lengthy processes; sites are now using its API as a customer service bot, and Volkswagen is set to integrate it into its vehicles, too.
However, all of this does not go without a cost to the environment. Researchers estimate that 500ml of clean water goes to waste in a 20-50 question conversation with the AI.
Plus, Gartner says that by 2025, AI could consume more energy than the human workforce and consume the same amount of electricity as a small country by 2027. Read more about it here.
