Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT, the AI chatbot by OpenAI, has dramatically transformed the way we interact with technology. What initially started as a tool for enhancing productivity—helping users generate essays and write code with short text prompts—has since evolved into a powerhouse. With over 300 million active users weekly, OpenAI has solidified ChatGPT’s position as a leading AI tool in the world.
The Big Year for OpenAI: 2024
OpenAI made headlines throughout 2024 with major developments. Key moments included:
- Partnership with Apple: OpenAI teamed up with Apple to bring generative AI into Apple’s ecosystem, including a new offering named Apple Intelligence.
- Launch of GPT-4o: The company unveiled GPT-4o, a version of its AI chatbot with impressive voice capabilities.
- Sora: Text-to-Video Model: One of the most awaited innovations from OpenAI was the launch of Sora, a text-to-video model that promises to revolutionize how we create videos from text descriptions.
However, OpenAI’s journey wasn’t without challenges. The company faced some turbulence, including significant leadership changes, such as the departures of Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s co-founder, and Mira Murati, the CTO. Additionally, OpenAI dealt with lawsuits, including one from Alden Global Capital-owned newspapers accusing the company of copyright violations. Another major legal challenge came from Elon Musk, who sought an injunction to stop OpenAI from transitioning into a for-profit company.
What’s Ahead: OpenAI’s Strategies for 2025
Looking into the future, OpenAI faces intense competition, particularly from Chinese AI firms like DeepSeek. In 2025, the company is focused on maintaining its leadership in the AI race. OpenAI is strengthening its relationship with the U.S. government while working on its data center expansion project. They are also reportedly preparing for one of the largest funding rounds in AI history.
ChatGPT Updates and New Features: A Timeline of Progress
OpenAI continues to roll out new features and product updates for ChatGPT, with each improvement pushing the boundaries of AI. Here’s a look at some of the latest developments.
July 2025
- Launch of ChatGPT Agent
- OpenAI introduced the ChatGPT Agent, a powerful tool capable of handling multiple tasks, including managing calendars, drafting presentations, running code, and even handling online shopping. This feature aims to provide a seamless, efficient experience for users looking to automate various computer-based tasks.
- Risks with AI Therapy Chatbots
- A study from Stanford University raised concerns about AI-powered therapy chatbots, revealing that they sometimes respond in ways that could be harmful or stigmatizing for people with mental health issues.
- Delay in OpenAI’s Open Model Release:
- OpenAI announced another delay for its open-weight model, citing the need for additional safety testing before launching it to the public.
June 2025
- OpenAI Partners with Google
- OpenAI began using Google’s AI chips to power its models, marking a shift from their reliance on Nvidia’s chips.
- AI’s Impact on Critical Thinking
- MIT researchers found that ChatGPT could potentially be affecting the critical thinking abilities of its users. Their study observed reduced brain activity in individuals using ChatGPT for writing tasks, suggesting that the AI might not engage users as deeply as traditional thinking and writing.
- 30 Million Downloads for ChatGPT
- The ChatGPT iOS app achieved 30 million downloads in just one month, making it one of the most downloaded apps during that period, just behind TikTok and Facebook.
- AI’s Energy Consumption
- Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, revealed that each ChatGPT query uses roughly the same amount of energy required to power a lightbulb for a few minutes, which adds up over millions of interactions.
May 2025
- OpenAI’s New AI Model – Codex
- OpenAI introduced Codex, a coding agent powered by the company’s o3 reasoning model. Codex aims to simplify coding tasks by writing features, fixing bugs, and even running tests, making it a valuable tool for developers.
- ChatGPT Gets More Personal
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared plans to make ChatGPT more personalized, with the AI remembering every aspect of a user’s life to enhance interactions.
- New Version of GPT-4.1
- OpenAI launched GPT-4.1, a more specialized version of its GPT-4o model. This new update is designed to perform coding tasks and follow instructions more effectively.
- Collaboration with GitHub:
- ChatGPT’s deep research feature now connects with GitHub, allowing developers to ask questions and gain insights about their codebase, further boosting its utility for technical users.
ChatGPT’s Growing Influence and New Developments
As ChatGPT continues to evolve, it remains at the forefront of AI development, constantly refining its capabilities. In April 2025, OpenAI even introduced a feature allowing users to access and create AI-generated images directly from within ChatGPT.
With a constant stream of new updates, OpenAI is determined to stay ahead of the curve in the competitive AI industry, whether it’s launching new models like o3-pro or making strategic moves such as expanding data centers in Asia and beyond.
As the world of AI progresses, one thing is certain: OpenAI and ChatGPT are likely to be key players for years to come, shaping the future of how we interact with technology.
