A new subscription level has been introduced for OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but it may not be worth your investment.
A Pricey Access Point to ChatGPT
The ChatGPT Pro subscription now costs a staggering $200 per month. This tier offers unlimited access to o1, o1-mini, GPT-4o, and advanced voice mode, in addition to all features available in the free and Plus plans.
What sets the o1 model apart is its slower response time, designed to carefully consider complex tasks and provide solutions for challenges in science, programming, and mathematics. This approach may significantly improve the accuracy and thoroughness of results, potentially addressing critical weaknesses in AI reasoning.
With the o1 pro mode, users can expect a prolonged answer generation time, indicated by a progress bar. If you navigate away from the app, a notification will alert you once the answer is ready.
Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune to access o1 or o1-mini; these features are also available to Plus tier subscribers for a monthly fee of $20, though OpenAI notes that access may be “limited” for those on lower-tier plans.
OpenAI has indicated plans to enhance o1 in the months ahead, including new functionalities such as web browsing and file uploads.
At a $200 monthly price tag, this subscription may be out of reach for most casual users. Instead, OpenAI appears to be positioning ChatGPT Pro for larger clients like corporations and educational institutions, where the investment in cutting-edge AI technology might be deemed worthwhile.
Quickly Expanding Features
OpenAI is rapidly rolling out new features for ChatGPT. In October, they introduced ChatGPT Search, enabling users to find information online as they would with a search engine. This feature allows users to ask questions or conduct manual searches and provides real-time updates on topics such as weather, stocks, sports, news, and applications.
Despite these additions, it remains to be seen if there will be sufficient interest to attract subscribers and generate profit for the company.
