OpenAI announced on May 13 that it will release a new AI model called GPT-4o, which is capable of voice conversation, as well as interacting via text and images.
OpenAI researchers demonstrated GPT-4o during a company livestream event. The newly updated audio capabilities allow users to talk to ChatGPT and get real-time responses without delay, or interrupting ChatGPT while it is speaking.
In a social media post, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote: "It feels like something out of a movie... I've never felt truly natural talking to a computer, but now it's a reality."
OpenAI (backed by Microsoft) is facing increasing competition from rival companies and pressure to expand the user base of ChatGPT - the hit chatbot that has amazed the world with its ability to produce content using text and software code.
According to analysis by Similarweb, ChatGPT became the fastest app to reach 100 million active users shortly after its launch in late 2022. However, the tool's global traffic has been unstable over the past year.
OpenAI's announcement of GPT-4o comes a day before Alphabet (Google's parent company) holds its annual developer conference, which is expected to introduce new AI-related products.
At the GPT-4o launch event, OpenAI CTO Mira Murati said the new model will be made available for free because it can be more profitable than the company's previous models.
GPT-4o is scheduled to be officially released in the coming weeks. Paid users will have more storage space than free users.