OpenAI o1 vs ChatGPT Plugins

OpenAI has launched its new o1 models, offering ChatGPT users a unique chance to experience AI that pauses to "think" before it responds. These models, codenamed “Strawberry,” excel at reasoning and handling complex questions but come with a higher cost compared to GPT-4o.

While the o1 model introduces multi-step reasoning to break down large tasks and evaluate each step, its slower speed and lack of multimodal capabilities make GPT-4o the preferable choice for most simpler prompts. Designed for big questions, the o1 model aims to help users think through complicated decisions.

However, the higher expense due to additional "reasoning tokens" means users need to be cautious about overusing it for basic queries. Despite not living up to its pre-launch hype, the o1 model offers a glimpse into the future potential of AI in tackling complex problems.

OpenAI follows an iterative deployment philosophy, and as part of this approach, it is gradually releasing plugins for ChatGPT. The purpose of this gradual release is to study the real-world use of the plugins, assess their impact, and identify any safety and alignment challenges that may arise. Getting these aspects right is essential for OpenAI to achieve its mission.

Since the launch of ChatGPT, users have expressed interest in having access to plugins, and many developers are experimenting with similar ideas. OpenAI is initially rolling out plugins to a small set of users and plans to gradually increase access as it learns more. After an alpha period, API users who want to integrate plugins into their products will also have access. OpenAI is excited to build a community that will help shape the future of the human-AI interaction paradigm.

Developers who have been invited off the waitlist can use OpenAI's documentation to build a plugin for ChatGPT. Once the plugin is created, it is listed in the prompt shown to the language model, along with documentation that instructs the model on how to use each one. The first set of plugins has been created by Expedia, FiscalNote, Instacart, KAYAK, Klarna, Milo, OpenTable, Shopify, Slack, Speak, Wolfram, and Zapier.