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ChatGPT: Comprehensive Guide to the AI-Powered Chatbot

ChatGPT: Comprehensive Guide to the AI-Powered Chatbot

April 14, 2025
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ChatGPT: Comprehensive Guide to the AI-Powered Chatbot

Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT, OpenAI's text-generating AI chatbot, has captivated users worldwide, skyrocketing from a productivity tool to boasting 300 million weekly active users. 2024 marked a pivotal year for OpenAI, with significant developments like their partnership with Apple for Apple Intelligence, the introduction of GPT-4o with voice capabilities, and the much-anticipated debut of their text-to-video model, Sora.

However, the year wasn't without its challenges. OpenAI experienced internal upheaval with the departure of key figures such as co-founder Ilya Sutskever and CTO Mira Murati. Additionally, the company faced legal battles, including copyright infringement allegations from newspapers owned by Alden Global Capital, and an injunction from Elon Musk regarding OpenAI's shift towards a for-profit model.

As we move into 2025, OpenAI finds itself in a competitive landscape, particularly against Chinese rivals like DeepSeek. Amidst efforts to strengthen ties with Washington and embark on an expansive data center project, OpenAI is also preparing for what could be one of the largest funding rounds ever.

Below, you'll find an updated timeline of ChatGPT's product updates and releases throughout the year. For any further questions, feel free to check out our comprehensive ChatGPT FAQ.

To explore the list of 2024 updates, click here.

Timeline of the most recent ChatGPT updates

  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • ChatGPT FAQs

April 2025

OpenAI could release GPT-4.1 next week

Rumor has it that OpenAI might roll out several new AI models, including GPT-4.1, as early as next week, according to The Verge. This update to last year's GPT-4o would be joined by smaller versions like GPT-4.1 mini and nano.

OpenAI has updated ChatGPT to use information from your previous conversations

This week, OpenAI began updating ChatGPT to leverage past conversations for more personalized responses. This feature is rolling out first to ChatGPT Pro and Plus users, but it's not available in the U.K., EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

OpenAI is working on watermarks for images made with ChatGPT

It seems OpenAI is developing a watermark feature for images created using GPT-4o. AI researcher Tibor Blaho discovered this new "ImageGen" watermark in the beta version of ChatGPT's Android app, alongside mentions of other tools like "Structured Thoughts," "Reasoning Recap," "CoT Search Tool," and "l1239dk1."

OpenAI offers ChatGPT Plus for free to US, Canadian college students

OpenAI is providing its $20-per-month ChatGPT Plus subscription for free to college students in the U.S. and Canada until the end of May. This move allows millions of students to tap into OpenAI’s premium service, including access to the GPT-4o model, image generation, voice interaction, and research tools.

ChatGPT users have generated over 700M images so far

According to OpenAI's COO, Brad Lightcap, over 130 million users have created more than 700 million images since the image generator upgrade on March 25. This feature became available to all ChatGPT users on March 31 and quickly went viral for its ability to produce Ghibli-style photos.

OpenAI’s o3 model could cost more to run than initial estimate

The Arc Prize Foundation has revised its estimates on the computing costs for OpenAI's o3 "reasoning" model. Initially pegged at around $3,000 per task, the new figures suggest costs could soar to about $30,000 per task.

OpenAI CEO says capacity issues will cause product delays

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took to X to warn that the popularity of their new image-generation tool might delay upcoming product releases. He mentioned that users should brace for potential delays, service disruptions, and slower performance as they tackle capacity challenges.

March 2025

OpenAI plans to release a new ‘open’ AI language model

OpenAI is set to launch its first open language model since GPT-2 in the coming months. They plan to engage developers through events in San Francisco, Europe, and Asia to gather feedback and showcase model prototypes.

OpenAI removes ChatGPT’s restrictions on image generation

Following the success of their new image generator, OpenAI has updated its content moderation policies to allow ChatGPT to generate images of public figures, hateful symbols, and racial features when requested. This marks a significant shift from their previous stance on such prompts.

OpenAI adopts Anthropic’s standard for linking AI models with data

OpenAI is integrating Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) across its products, including the ChatGPT desktop app. This open-source standard helps AI models deliver more precise responses and allows developers to link data sources with AI applications.

OpenAI’s viral Studio Ghibli-style images could raise AI copyright concerns

The recent update to ChatGPT's image generator has led to a flood of Studio Ghibli-style AI-generated memes. This surge has sparked concerns about potential copyright violations, especially given OpenAI's ongoing legal battles over unauthorized source material use.

OpenAI expects revenue to triple to $12.7 billion this year

Bloomberg reports that OpenAI expects its revenue to triple to $12.7 billion in 2025, driven by its paid AI software. While the company doesn't anticipate reaching positive cash flow until 2029, it projects a significant revenue increase to over $29.4 billion in 2026.

ChatGPT has upgraded its image-generation feature

ChatGPT's image-generation capabilities have been enhanced with the GPT-4o model, allowing direct image creation and editing. Initially available to Pro plan subscribers and soon to be accessible to Plus subscribers and API users, the feature's rollout to free users has been delayed due to high demand.

OpenAI announces leadership updates

Brad Lightcap will spearhead OpenAI's global expansion and manage corporate partnerships as CEO Sam Altman focuses on research and products. Mark Chen will take on the role of chief research officer, while Julia Villagra becomes the chief people officer.

OpenAI’s AI voice assistant now has advanced feature

OpenAI's AI voice assistant has been upgraded for more engaging real-time conversations. Free users can now access the Advanced Voice Mode, while paying users will benefit from more direct, engaging, and creative responses.

OpenAI, Meta in talks with Reliance in India

OpenAI and Meta are in discussions with Reliance Industries to expand their AI services in India. Potential collaborations include distributing ChatGPT through Reliance Jio and selling OpenAI's models to businesses via an API. Meta plans to build a 3GW data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

OpenAI faces privacy complaint in Europe for chatbot’s defamatory hallucinations

Noyb, a privacy rights group, is supporting a Norwegian individual whose personal information was falsely reported by ChatGPT. The chatbot claimed he was convicted of killing his children, raising serious GDPR concerns about data accuracy and the need for correction.

OpenAI upgrades its transcription and voice-generating AI models

OpenAI has introduced new transcription and voice-generating models to its APIs, including "gpt-4o-mini-tts" for more nuanced speech and "gpt-4o-transcribe" and "gpt-4o-mini-transcribe" for improved speech-to-text capabilities, claiming reduced hallucinations.

OpenAI has launched o1-pro, a more powerful version of its o1

OpenAI's new o1-pro model, available through its developer API, promises better responses at a higher cost. It's accessible only to select developers and is priced at $150 for every million input tokens and $600 for every million output tokens.

OpenAI research lead Noam Brown thinks AI “reasoning” models could’ve arrived decades ago

Noam Brown, head of AI reasoning research at OpenAI, believes that certain AI "reasoning" models could have been developed 20 years earlier if the right approach and algorithms had been understood.

OpenAI says it has trained an AI that’s “really good” at creative writing

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared on X that they've trained a model excelling in creative writing. Although primarily focused on math and programming, this new model impressed Altman with its metafictional literary short story.

OpenAI launches new tools to help businesses build AI agents

OpenAI has introduced tools within its Responses API to aid developers and businesses in creating AI agents that can perform tasks like web searches and file scanning. This API will eventually replace the Assistants API, which is set to be discontinued in 2026.

OpenAI reportedly plans to charge up to $20,000 a month for specialized AI ‘agents’

OpenAI is rumored to launch several specialized "agent" products, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 per month. These high-cost agents are designed for tasks like sales lead management and PhD-level research, reflecting OpenAI's financial needs after a reported $5 billion loss in the previous year.

ChatGPT can directly edit your code

The latest macOS ChatGPT app update allows direct code editing in tools like Xcode, VS Code, and JetBrains. This feature is currently available to Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers, with plans to expand to Enterprise, Edu, and free users.

ChatGPT’s weekly active users doubled in less than 6 months, thanks to new releases

According to Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), ChatGPT's weekly active users doubled from 200 million to 400 million in less than six months, largely due to new models and features like GPT-4o.

February 2025

OpenAI cancels its o3 AI model in favor of a ‘unified’ next-gen release

OpenAI has scrapped the standalone release of o3 in favor of a "simplified" product called GPT-5, which will integrate o3's technology. CEO Sam Altman announced this shift on X, signaling a streamlined approach to future releases.

ChatGPT may not be as power-hungry as once assumed

Epoch AI found that ChatGPT's average query consumes around 0.3 watt-hours, significantly less than previously estimated. However, this analysis does not account for additional energy costs from features like image generation.

OpenAI now reveals more of its o3-mini model’s thought process

In response to competition from DeepSeek, OpenAI has updated the o3-mini model to provide a more detailed "chain of thought," showing users how the model arrives at its answers.

You can now use ChatGPT web search without logging in

OpenAI now allows anyone to use ChatGPT web search without logging in, though mobile app users still need to be logged in to access ChatGPT features.

OpenAI unveils a new ChatGPT agent for ‘deep research’

OpenAI has introduced a new AI "agent" for deep research, designed to help users conduct thorough, complex research using multiple sources through ChatGPT.

January 2025

OpenAI used a subreddit to test AI persuasion

OpenAI utilized r/ChangeMyView to test the persuasive abilities of its AI reasoning models. By collecting posts and generating responses, OpenAI compared AI replies to human ones to gauge effectiveness.

OpenAI launches o3-mini, its latest ‘reasoning’ model

OpenAI released o3-mini, the latest addition to its o family of "reasoning" models, which the company touts as both powerful and affordable.

ChatGPT’s mobile users are 85% male, report says

Appfigures reported that over half of ChatGPT's mobile users are under 25, with a significant gender gap, where men make up 84.5% of all users.

OpenAI launches ChatGPT plan for US government agencies

OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Gov, a version tailored for U.S. government agencies, offering enhanced security, privacy, and compliance features similar to ChatGPT Enterprise.

More teens report using ChatGPT for schoolwork, despite the tech’s faults

A Pew Research Center survey found that 26% of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 have used ChatGPT for schoolwork, doubling from two years ago, despite concerns about its accuracy.

OpenAI says it may store deleted Operator data for up to 90 days

OpenAI disclosed that it might retain chats and screenshots from Operator users for up to 90 days after deletion, a longer period than the 30 days for ChatGPT.

OpenAI launches Operator, an AI agent that performs tasks autonomously

OpenAI is launching a research preview of Operator, an AI agent capable of autonomously performing tasks like booking travel and shopping online.

OpenAI may preview its agent tool for users on the $200-per-month Pro plan

Changes in ChatGPT's code suggest that Operator might be available as an early research preview to Pro subscribers, although these updates are not yet public.

OpenAI tests phone number-only ChatGPT signups

OpenAI is testing a feature allowing new ChatGPT users to sign up using only a phone number, currently in beta in the U.S. and India. However, email verification is required for paid plans.

ChatGPT now lets you schedule reminders and recurring tasks

ChatGPT's new tasks feature allows users to set reminders, rolling out to Plus, Team, and Pro users globally this week.

New ChatGPT feature lets users assign it traits like ‘chatty’ and ‘Gen Z’

OpenAI is testing a feature where users can customize ChatGPT's traits, such as "Chatty" or "Gen Z," although some users reported the options disappearing prematurely.

FAQs:

What is ChatGPT? How does it work?

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI that generates text based on user prompts using the GPT-4 model, which employs deep learning to produce human-like text.

When did ChatGPT get released?

ChatGPT was released to the public on November 30, 2022.

What is the latest version of ChatGPT?

The most recent model integrated into both the free and paid versions of ChatGPT is GPT-4o.

Can I use ChatGPT for free?

Yes, there's a free version of ChatGPT available with a simple sign-in, in addition to the paid ChatGPT Plus.

Who uses ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is accessible to anyone, and its use is expanding among tech companies and search engines for automating text and answering user queries.

What companies use ChatGPT?

Several enterprises utilize ChatGPT, including Microsoft, which integrated it into Windows 11, and Looking Glass, a startup using it for hologram communication. Solana also integrated ChatGPT for web3 onboarding.

What does GPT mean in ChatGPT?

GPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer.

What is the difference between ChatGPT and a chatbot?

ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot using large language model technology, whereas a chatbot can be any system that engages in dialogue, including rule-based systems with pre-set responses.

Can ChatGPT write essays?

Yes, ChatGPT can generate essays.

Can ChatGPT commit libel?

ChatGPT can generate false statements that might constitute libel, as it focuses on producing text that seems plausible rather than ensuring accuracy. Legal implications are being closely watched.

Does ChatGPT have an app?

Yes, there's a free ChatGPT mobile app available for iOS and Android users.

What is the ChatGPT character limit?

While not officially documented, users have noted a character limit around 500 words.

Does ChatGPT have an API?

Yes, the ChatGPT API was released on March 1, 2023.

What are some sample everyday uses for ChatGPT?

Everyday uses include programming, writing scripts, composing emails, creating listicles, generating blog ideas, and summarizing content.

What are some advanced uses for ChatGPT?

Advanced uses include debugging code, working with programming languages, understanding scientific concepts, and solving complex problems.

How good is ChatGPT at writing code?

ChatGPT can write functional Python code, but it may struggle with context-aware programming for entire applications.

Can you save a ChatGPT chat?

Yes, chats can be saved within the ChatGPT interface and are stored in the sidebar.

Are there alternatives to ChatGPT?

Yes, alternatives include Together, Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude, and various open-source options developed by the community.

How does ChatGPT handle data privacy?

OpenAI offers a form for individuals in certain jurisdictions to object to the processing of their personal information and request data deletion, though not all requests may be granted.

What controversies have surrounded ChatGPT?

Controversies include its integration into Discord's Clyde bot, leading to instructions on making illegal substances, defamation claims due to false information, and concerns over plagiarism and misinformation in educational settings.

Where can I find examples of ChatGPT prompts?

Marketplaces like PromptBase and ChatX offer ChatGPT prompts, either for free or a small fee, with new platforms emerging regularly.

Can ChatGPT be detected?

Detection tools for ChatGPT-generated text exist but are often inconsistent and unreliable.

Are ChatGPT chats public?

No, ChatGPT chats are private, though a past bug exposed some conversation titles, which has since been fixed.

What lawsuits are there surrounding ChatGPT?

While no lawsuits specifically target ChatGPT, OpenAI is involved in legal disputes over AI training data that could impact ChatGPT.

Are there issues regarding plagiarism with ChatGPT?

Yes, ChatGPT and similar AI models can reproduce content from their training data, raising plagiarism concerns.

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Comments (45)
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WillieAdams
WillieAdams April 23, 2025 at 7:48:34 PM EDT

ChatGPT is just mind-blowing! It's my go-to for everything from writing emails to brainstorming ideas. The integration with Apple in 2024 was a game-changer. But sometimes it gets things wrong, which can be frustrating. Still, it's a must-have! 🤯💡

PaulTaylor
PaulTaylor April 23, 2025 at 2:27:51 AM EDT

¡ChatGPT es simplemente increíble! Es mi herramienta favorita para escribir correos y generar ideas. La integración con Apple en 2024 fue un cambio de juego. Pero a veces se equivoca, lo cual puede ser frustrante. ¡Aun así, es imprescindible! 🤯💡

WalterAnderson
WalterAnderson April 23, 2025 at 12:32:56 AM EDT

ChatGPT is amazing! I use it for everything from writing emails to brainstorming ideas. It's like having a super smart friend always ready to help. The only downside is it can sometimes give wrong info, but hey, no one's perfect, right? 🤓

AndrewGarcía
AndrewGarcía April 22, 2025 at 12:49:57 AM EDT

ChatGPT é incrível! Uso para tudo, desde escrever e-mails até brainstorm de ideias. É como ter um amigo super inteligente sempre pronto para ajudar. O único ponto negativo é que pode dar informações erradas às vezes, mas, ei, ninguém é perfeito, certo? 🤓

AndrewGarcía
AndrewGarcía April 21, 2025 at 12:21:40 PM EDT

ChatGPT é simplesmente incrível! É minha ferramenta preferida para tudo, desde escrever e-mails até gerar ideias. A integração com a Apple em 2024 foi um divisor de águas. Mas às vezes erra, o que pode ser frustrante. Ainda assim, é indispensável! 🤯💡

FrankHernández
FrankHernández April 20, 2025 at 7:26:24 AM EDT

ChatGPT thật sự là một công cụ đáng kinh ngạc! Tôi dùng nó cho mọi thứ từ viết email đến tạo ý tưởng. Việc tích hợp với Apple năm 2024 đã là một bước ngoặt. Nhưng đôi khi nó sai, điều này có thể gây khó chịu. Tuy nhiên, nó là một công cụ không thể thiếu! 🤯💡

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