OpenAI has recently unveiled the latest iteration of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT-4o. However, the release has sparked debate and scrutiny, revolving around the platform’s new features and accessibility for users. The much-anticipated launch of GPT-4o has left many questioning the actual benefits available to both free and paid users.
Initially, the demonstration of the new voice inflections and emotions of the upgraded chatbot was met with enthusiastic reception. However, it was soon discovered that most of the promised features were missing or postponed, leaving many users feeling disappointed. The inability to utilize a phone’s video camera for real-time analysis, among other features, has left some users feeling shortchanged.
Although OpenAI presented the addition of various features, such as data analytics and model responses, with the release of GPT-4o, the functionality was restricted to paid users. It wasn’t until early May that these features were made available to all users, indicating a shift in OpenAI’s approach to offering premium functionalities to its broader user base.
Despite the increased accessibility of custom GPTs and other premium features, the mechanism to create custom GPTs remains exclusive to paid subscribers, raising questions about the actual democratization of the platform. While free users can now utilize custom GPTs, the ability to create their own remains off-limits.
OpenAI’s incorporation of features such as data and code analysis tools and the accessibility of hundreds of thousands of custom GPTs for free users aims to foster a more inclusive experience. However, the delay in launching the voice functionality and the restriction of creating custom GPTs continues to highlight the limitations faced by free users.
While the unveiling of ChatGPT-4o brought anticipation for enhanced capabilities and accessibility for users, the delayed release of prominent features and the limitations imposed on free users have raised concerns. The direction that OpenAI takes to address these issues will be crucial in determining the long-term impact and user perception of its latest chatbot technology.
