ChatGPT 5 likely to launch next week, and it’s built to do it all

OpenAI is on the verge of releasing what could be its most powerful AI model yet. Dubbed GPT-5, the new model is expected to drop in the first week of August, and early murmurs suggest it’s more than just an iterative upgrade; it’s a complete fusion of everything OpenAI has been building over the past few years.

In a recent podcast appearance, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described a moment when he fed GPT-5 a question he couldn’t answer himself. The model nailed it. “It was a weird feeling. I felt useless relative to the AI”, he told host Theo Von. That statement alone is enough to make even the most tech-savvy among us sit up straighter. Here’s what we know so far about ChatGPT 5.

ChatGPT 5: One model to rule them all

GPT-5 is expected to unify the intelligence of OpenAI’s GPT-series (like GPT-4) and the o-series (like GPT-4o) into a single, seamless experience. Until now, users had to choose between models depending on whether they wanted sharper reasoning or better multimodal performance.

GPT-5 is rumoured to do away with those silos, offering everything from code, math, logic, vision, voice, and possibly even video, in one high-functioning brain.

The model has reportedly been “spotted in the wild”, and Altman has all but confirmed the release is imminent. Sources say there will be multiple versions of GPT-5, including “mini” and “nano” variants tailored to different levels of computing power. While the standard GPT-5 will be accessible via ChatGPT and OpenAI’s API, the smaller nano version may be API-only.

Functionally, GPT-5 seems like a beast. It’s said to boast an expanded context window with over 256,000 tokens; that’s double what GPT-4o could handle. This means longer conversations, more recall, and richer understanding across sessions.

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Multimodal upgrades are also on the table, with speculation pointing to native video processing in addition to GPT-4o’s text, image, and voice input capabilities. It could mean a more fluid user experience, where switching between data types feels as natural as talking to a human assistant.

But perhaps the most futuristic leap comes in the form of autonomy. There’s talk of GPT-5 powering AI agents that can execute multi-step digital tasks – booking tickets, using APIs, filling forms – essentially acting as your virtual proxy on the internet. OpenAI hasn’t officially confirmed this, but if true, it’s a leap closer to a truly self-operating AI.

From model to milestone

Altman has said GPT-5 represents “a system that integrates a lot of our technology”, hinting that this release is about merging years of R&D into a model that feels like a real step toward artificial general intelligence. It’s the kind of evolution that has both Silicon Valley insiders and casual users wondering where the human-machine relationship goes next.

Whether you’re a developer, a content creator, or just someone who’s watched ChatGPT turn into a daily habit, GPT-5’s launch is shaping up to be a massive tech milestone.