There’s a lot of buzz going around that in the next week or two, we might see some major updates to two of the leading AI chatbots—ChatGPT and Claude.
One of the biggest rumors is about the models behind these platforms. People have been expecting larger and smaller versions of Claude 3.5 ever since Sonnet launched earlier this year. Meanwhile, an update to OpenAI’s GPT-4 family is long overdue.
Some features have been hinted at but not fully released yet, especially by OpenAI. This includes things like SearchGPT and the full version of its o1 reasoning model. On the other hand, Anthropic has just launched a new iPad version of the Claude app and updated its mobile apps—maybe getting ready for that rumored new model.
There’s no exact date for when these updates will roll out, but both OpenAI and Anthropic have mentioned upgrades by fall. And since the leaves are turning orange and pumpkins are popping up in stores, it sure feels like fall is here. So, the updates could be just around the corner.
What Can We Expect in the AI Space?
As a tech journalist, I’ve covered my fair share of speculation—whether it’s a new iOS feature, a button tweak on headphones, or a camera upgrade in the latest smartphone.
Now, we’re starting to see similar buzz around generative AI, with features like ChatGPT Canvas or Claude Artifacts making waves.
But the bigger excitement always comes from model updates. Think of it like upgrading from Windows 10 to 11—it’s not just a tweak, it’s a major overhaul.
We’re all expecting something big this year, and my bet is still on a major upgrade to the GPT family.
The GPT Family and What’s Next
OpenAI’s last major update was the rollout of GPT-4 in the spring, including its Omni model—a multimodal version of GPT-4. They’ve also released the 01 reasoning model, which some believe is still rooted in the GPT-4 family. But what we haven’t seen yet is a GPT-4.5 or the long-rumored GPT-5.
Some speculate that we may never get a GPT-4.5 or GPT-5 because OpenAI might be moving away from this kind of labeling. Even Sam Altman has mentioned a shift between the o1 models and traditional GPT models. But one thing is clear: something new is coming, and it’s likely a game-changer for the GPT family.
Anthropic’s Regular Updates
Anthropic, meanwhile, has been more consistent with its releases. In June, they launched Claude 3.5 Sonnet, their mid-tier model.
The Claude family consists of three models: Haiku (comparable to GPT Mini), Sonnet (mid-tier), and Opus (the large, high-parameter version).
So far, we’ve only seen Sonnet from the 3.5 line, and all signs point to Opus being just around the corner.
Why Does This Matter? New Models Mean New Capabilities
Every new model brings better functionality and more potential. For example, we know that GPT-4 can create images, vector graphics, and even sing—but many of these features are disabled for now.
When a new model drops, it will likely have enhanced reasoning, better performance across benchmarks, and improved capabilities in coding, writing, and conversation.
These advancements also trickle down to smaller, cheaper, and faster models, making them more accessible. This brings us closer to the vision Sam Altman describes as “intelligence too cheap to meter.”
What’s Likely if We Don’t Get a New Model
If we don’t see a brand-new model, we might still get some big updates. OpenAI could fully roll out SearchGPT, expand Advanced Voice capabilities, and for Anthropic, we could see live internet access and code execution in Claude.
Either way, it’s clear that AI is evolving fast, and these updates will continue to push the boundaries of what we can do with it.
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