OpenAI unveils o1 AI model to tackle complex reasoning and multi-step workflows

OpenAI has introduced its latest AI model, code-named Strawberry, also known as o1, designed to handle more complex tasks by spending more time “thinking” before generating a response. 

The company claims that the o1 model can excel in areas such as science, mathematics, and coding, making it more suitable for handling sophisticated reasoning challenges.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Aliisa Rosenthal, Head of Sales at OpenAI, shared her excitement about the new model, saying, , “o1 can be used by healthcare researchers to annotate cell sequencing data and by developers in all fields to build and execute multi-step workflows.”

OpenAI is betting on this new model to set it apart from competitors like Google DeepMind and Anthropic, with the model already having been demonstrated to U.S. national security officials, as reported by The Information. This development comes at a time when OpenAI is reportedly in talks to raise $6.5 billion, aiming for a valuation of $150 billion.

However, there are still some limitations. The model currently lacks features like web browsing and file or image uploads which some users may find limiting in comparison to OpenAI’s GPT-4 models. Despite this, OpenAI is positioning o1 as a step forward in AI's ability to reason through complex tasks rather than just providing quick responses.

Looking ahead, OpenAI is also working on its next flagship model, code-named Orion, signalling that the company is keen to maintain its lead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. For now, all eyes are on o1 as it begins to roll out to users across various sectors, with many keen to see how it will perform in real-world applications.