OpenAI GPT models

OpenAI’s GPT models have revolutionized artificial intelligence, driving innovation in areas from creative writing to sophisticated problem-solving. In this Answer, we explore the latest GPT models, highlight their unique features, and provide a step-by-step guide on integrating these models into your applications using the OpenAI API.

GPT models
GPT models

To fully harness the capabilities of these advanced AI models, crafting effective prompts is crucial. To master the art of prompt engineering, you may consider taking this comprehensive course on Prompt Engineering.

Overview of GPT models

OpenAI provides a range of GPT models designed to cater to various needs, from everyday simple tasks to complex multimodal applications. Each model has distinct capabilities, allowing users to choose the optimal model based on their specific requirements in terms of performance, cost, and efficiency.

GPT-4o

GPT-4o (“o” stands for “omni”) is the latest GPT model. It is multimodal, capable of processing both text and image inputs while generating text outputs. While it shares the same advanced intelligence as GPT-4 Turbo, GPT-4o offers significantly improved efficiency, producing text twice as fast and at half the cost. Furthermore, it excels in visual capabilities and offers superior performance in non-English languages compared to other models. GPT-4o is accessible via the OpenAI API for subscribed customers. There are different versions of GPT-4o. The most significant versions include the following:

  • gpt-4o: It is an advanced flagship model designed for complex, multi-step tasks. It is faster and more cost-effective than GPT-4 Turbo. The model currently points to version gpt-4o-2024-08-06 and supports a context window of 128,000 tokens with a maximum of 16,384 output tokens. The training data is up to October 2023.

  • chatgpt-4o-latest: This model version always refers to the most recent version of GPT-4o used in ChatGPT and is updated regularly to incorporate significant changes.

GPT-4o mini

GPT-4o mini is the most advanced model in the small models category. It is multimodal, accepting both text and image inputs while generating text outputs. With greater intelligence than GPT-3.5-turbo, it matches its speed. Designed for smaller tasks, including vision-related tasks, it offers a more capable and cost-effective alternative to GPT-3.5-turbo. It is recommended to choose gpt-4o-mini for tasks where you would have previously used GPT-3.5-turbo. This model also supports a context window of 128,000 tokens with a maximum of 16,384 output tokens. The training data is up to October 2023.

o1-preview and o1-mini 

The o1 series of large language models is trained using reinforcement learning to handle complex reasoning tasks. These models engage in a thorough internal thought process before generating responses, producing an extended chain of thought prior to answering. There are two available model types:

  • o1-preview: It is a reasoning model designed to solve challenging problems across multiple domains. It supports a context window of 128,000 tokens with a maximum of 32,768 output tokens. The training data is up to October 2023.

  • o1-mini: It is a faster, more cost-effective reasoning model, particularly optimized for coding, math, and science tasks. It supports a context window of 128,000 tokens with a maximum of 65,536 output tokens. The training data is up to October 2023.

GPT-4 Turbo and GPT-4

GPT-4 is a large multimodal model that accepts both text and image inputs and generates text outputs. Due to its broader general knowledge and advanced reasoning abilities, it can solve complex problems with higher accuracy than previous models like GPT-3.5-turbo. While optimized for chat, GPT-4 also performs well in traditional completion tasks.

  • gpt-4-turbo: It supports a context window of 128,000 tokens with a maximum output of 4,096 tokens. The training data is up to December 2023.

  • gpt-4: It supports a context window of 8,192 tokens with a maximum output of 8,192 tokens. The training data is up to September 2021.

GPT-3.5 Turbo

GPT-3.5 Turbo models are capable of understanding and generating both natural language and code. They are optimized for chat but also perform well in non-chat tasks. These are fast and inexpensive models for simple tasks. gpt-3.5-turbo supports a context window of 16,385 tokens with a maximum output of 4,096 tokens. The training data is up to September 2021.

Comparison of OpenAI GPT Models

Model Name

Modality

Context Window

Max Output Tokens

Training Data Cut-off

GPT-4o

Multimodal

128,000

16,384

Oct 2023

GPT-4o Mini

Multimodal

128,000

16,384

Oct 2023

o1-preview

Text

128,000

32,768

Oct 2023

o1-mini

Text

128,000

65,536

Oct 2023

GPT-4 Turbo

Multimodal

128,000

4,096

Dec 2023

GPT-4

Multimodal

8,192

8,192

Sept 2021

GPT-3.5 Turbo

Text

16,385

4,096

Sept 2021

Key features of GPT models

Each GPT model from OpenAI has distinct features, including:

  • Multimodality: Supports text and image inputs.

  • Efficiency: Models vary in cost and speed, offering choices for different tasks.

  • Reasoning capabilities: Advanced reasoning skills, especially in the o1 series.

  • Multilingual support: Improved non-English language processing, notably in GPT-4o.

How to integrate GPT models using the OpenAI API

Use the following Python code to interact with GPT models:

To get the OpenAI API key, follow the steps provided here.

import openai
# Replace 'YOUR_API_KEY' with your actual API key
openai.api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"
response = openai.chat.completions.create(
model="gpt-4", # You can change this to "gpt-3.5-turbo" or any other model
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Translate the following English text to French: '{Hi, How are you?}'"}]
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)

Within this code snippet, you have the option to modify the model parameter to the model of your choice. For instance, gpt-4 can be replaced with gpt-3.5-turbo if you wish to leverage the GPT-3.5 Turbo model.

Note: For latest updates on OpenAI models, keep visiting their official documentation.

Key takeaways

  • OpenAI offers diverse GPT models tailored to specific tasks and budget needs.

  • Multimodal models expand application possibilities significantly.

  • GPT-4o provides superior multilingual support and efficiency.

Conclusion

OpenAI’s GPT models offer versatile tools for developers and businesses to innovate effectively. Choosing the right model depends on your specific application needs, desired performance level, and budget constraints. Continually refer to official documentation for the latest model updates and features.

Frequently asked questions

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Which GPT model is best for complex tasks?

GPT-4o and GPT-4 Turbo are best suited for complex tasks.


Is GPT-3.5 Turbo sufficient for coding tasks?

Yes, for simpler or routine coding tasks. However, o1-mini offers advanced coding capabilities.


Can GPT models understand images?

Yes, GPT-4o, GPT-4o mini, GPT-4 Turbo, and GPT-4 are multimodal models.


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