GPT-5: The Next Revolution in Artificial Intelligence
Scheduled for release in August 2025, GPT-5 represents a revolutionary leap in AI development. This isn't just another technical upgrade—it's a significant turning point that will unite advanced thinking capabilities with comprehensive multi-modal functionality in a single, unified system.
The Unified Model: Revolutionising AI Usage
Model Unification
GPT-5 will unite OpenAI's different model series into one comprehensive system. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged in February 2025: "We hate the model selector as much as you do and want to return to magical unified intelligence."
Advanced Thinking by Default
Unlike previous models, GPT-5 will include "chain-of-thought" capabilities by default, thinking naturally through multiple stages before providing an answer, without users needing to explicitly request this.
Dramatically Extended Context Window
One of the most impressive technical improvements is the expansion of the context window to up to one million tokens—a significant improvement over GPT-4 Turbo's current 128,000 tokens.
Advanced New Capabilities
Advanced Multi-modality
GPT-5 will offer original and advanced multi-modal capabilities, enabling natural processing of text, images, audio, and eventually video in a single system. Unlike previous models that relied on external add-ons, GPT-5 was designed from the ground up to handle all these input types in a unified manner.
Persistent Memory and Personalised Learning
The new model will include persistent memory that remembers user preferences, work style, and conversation history across multiple sessions, allowing it to adapt to each user's unique needs.
Agent Capabilities and Autonomy
GPT-5 is expected to include advanced agent capabilities that allow it to perform complex tasks independently. The model will be able to integrate various tools such as web browsers, code interpreters, and image generators, deciding when and how to use each one without explicit user guidance.
Pricing and Availability
£0
Free Version
Unlimited access to standard intelligence level
£20
ChatGPT Plus
Monthly subscription for higher intelligence level
£200
ChatGPT Pro
Monthly subscription for highest intelligence level
One of the most positive developments is that OpenAI plans to offer GPT-5 in a free basic version for all users. Additionally, "mini" and "nano" versions of GPT-5 will be launched through the API, providing strong performance at lower costs for developers and businesses.
Fierce Competition in the AI Market
Claude 4 by Anthropic
Leading in programming with 72.7% on the SWE-bench test
Gemini 2.5 Pro by Google
Offers context window of up to one million tokens and advanced video capabilities
DeepSeek R1
Offers similar performance at a significantly lower price
Grok 4 by xAI
Specialises in real-time information access and mathematical thinking
Impact on Various Industries
Software Development
GPT-5 is expected to revolutionise development. The model will be able to create production-quality code, fix bugs, and even help design entire systems. For developers, this means faster work with fewer manual steps.
Content Creation and Marketing
For content creators and marketers, GPT-5 will enable a smoother creation pipeline. The model will be able to combine ideas with visual, audio, and text capabilities to create comprehensive campaigns.
Education and Research
With its multi-modal capabilities and extended context window, GPT-5 will become a powerful tool for academic research and education, helping with complex document analysis and interdisciplinary research.
Challenges and Concerns
Safety and Reliability
Despite improvements, GPT-5 will still suffer from "hallucinations"—instances where the model creates incorrect information. OpenAI is investing significant efforts in improving model safety and reducing these errors.
Impact on the Job Market
Sam Altman himself admitted feeling "relatively useless compared to AI" after checking GPT-5's capabilities. This raises questions about the impact on jobs and the need for worker retraining.
Privacy and Regulation
With persistent memory and advanced multi-modal capabilities, important questions arise about user privacy and sensitive information storage. OpenAI will need to address increasingly strict regulations worldwide.
The Road Ahead: What to Expect
1
August 2025
Initial release with enterprise customers getting early access
2
Microsoft Integration
Microsoft is already preparing to integrate GPT-5 into its products, including Copilot and Azure
3
Open Source Model
OpenAI also plans to release an open-source model alongside GPT-5, smaller but allowing researchers and developers to try the new technologies at no cost
Summary: A Revolutionary Step Forward
GPT-5 represents a revolutionary stage in artificial intelligence development. The new model promises to unify advanced capabilities in a single system, provide a significantly improved user experience, and make AI more accessible and useful.
With an expected release in August 2025, GPT-5 may change how we work, learn, and create. The main challenges include fierce competition from other models, the need to improve safety and reliability, and addressing broader implications for the job market and society.
For users and businesses in the UK, GPT-5 will be available in English and offer new opportunities to improve productivity and creativity. The key is to prepare for the expected changes and consider how to leverage the new capabilities for competitive advantage and improving the quality of life and work.