OpenAI is once again on the verge of creating history in the world of generative AI with the impending release of GPT-5. Hailed as the next big thing in the world of generative AI chatbots, GPT-5 has already been spotted being tested on benchmark platforms and the results are looking great. Ahead of its impending release, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that his latest AI model makes him feel useless.
Altman shared a recent experience on comedian Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend” podcast, describing a moment when he used GPT-5 to answer a complex question he had received via email. To his surprise, the model provided a perfect answer, leading him to a profound realisation about the AI’s power.
Altman says GPT-5 makes him feel useless
“I felt useless relative to the AI in this thing that I felt I should have been able to do, and I couldn’t, and it was really hard. But the AI just did it like that. It was a weird feeling,” Altman said in the interview.
While it is easy to consider this as a pre-launch PR attempt for his upcoming AI model, industry insiders say that GPT-5 could actually take a major step forward. Altman had previously confirmed the model’s launch via a post on X. The fact that he’s already using it fuels rumours of a launch as early as August 2025.
Unlike the previous models of GPT, OpenAI is reportedly planning to release mini and nano versions of the model through its API. This should make the new model accessible to the masses, possibly even to those relying on the free model.
GPT-5 has been spotted in limited tests, building anticipation for what OpenAI describes as its most advanced system to date. The model is expected to integrate a new o3 reasoning engine, which was previously expected as a standalone system, directly into GPT-5. On paper, this should make it a more unified and powerful AI model.
Altman remains concerned about humans’ dependence on AI
The rapid advancement of AI also brings concerns. On the same podcast, Altman talked about the potential mental health impact of AI, especially as more individuals use AI for therapy and form emotional attachments to AI companions. Altman stated, “I’m scared of that…I don’t think we know quite the ways in which it’s going to have those negative impacts, but I feel for sure it’s going to have some and we’ll have to.”
