GPT-5 Is Like a PhD in Your Pocket, But True AGI Remains Elusive, Says OpenAI CEO

GPT-5 Is Like a PhD in Your Pocket, But True AGI Remains Elusive, Says OpenAI CEO

OpenAI has unveiled its latest breakthrough in artificial intelligence—GPT-5, calling it a “significant step” toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). The new model, now available to all 700 million weekly users of ChatGPT, brings major advances in reasoning, creativity, and real-world application. But despite its power, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the ultimate goal of AGI is still out of reach.

“GPT-5 is generally intelligent—it’s like having a PhD in your pocket,” Altman said. “But we’re still missing something quite important: continuous learning.”

Smarter, Safer, and More Capable Than Ever

GPT-5 delivers major improvements over its predecessors, including:

• Fewer factual errors

• Better coding performance

• More nuanced creative writing

• Improved safety handling for risky or sensitive prompts

• Multimodal interaction – it understands and responds to text, images, and voice, and can access apps like Gmail and Google Calendar (with permission)

Altman demonstrated GPT-5’s range by showing how it could write hundreds of lines of functioning code and assist with complex medical decisions. One cancer patient reportedly used ChatGPT to help inform her treatment path, though OpenAI emphasizes that the model is not a replacement for professional medical or mental health guidance.

Addressing Past Criticisms

The new version also tackles a known issue with previous models: sycophancy. GPT-5 now offers more balanced, thoughtful dialogue, rather than excessively agreeing with users—a problem that had previously undermined trust in its responses.

“The chatbot is becoming a better conversational partner,” said Nick Turley, head of ChatGPT. “It’s more discerning and less inclined to blindly agree.”

AGI Is Still on the Horizon

Despite the powerful capabilities of GPT-5, Altman remains cautious about labeling it true AGI. A key missing feature is continuous learning—the ability for a model to learn from experience and adapt in real time, without retraining.

“We’ve come far, but there’s more to solve,” Altman noted. “GPT-5 is a remarkable tool, but it’s not a mind.”

The Race to AGI Intensifies

The launch of GPT-5 highlights the fierce competition among tech giants like Google, Meta, and Anthropic, each striving to lead the next frontier in AI. As models become more intelligent and integrated into daily life, questions about ethics, safety, and social impact grow louder.

OpenAI’s valuation is now projected to hit $500 billion, surpassing even SpaceX in investor expectations. But with the promise of AGI comes a complex challenge—balancing innovation with responsibility.

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