If ChatGPT is your everyday digital buddy, there’s good news awaiting you regardless of whether you use it for free or subscribe to ChatGPT Plus. Amidst the relentless flow of announcements over the company’s future plans, which include making a Super Assistant and a new AI gadget designed in collaboration with ex-Apple designer Jony Ive, the AI firm has upgraded the free and Plus tiers of ChatGPT.
In what seems as a response to Google’s recent crop of announcements for Gemini chatbot, OpenAI has added some upgrades for both free and ChatGPT Plus subscribers.
Codex access for ChatGPT Plus members
OpenAI introduces its advanced AI coding agent, Codex, to all ChatGPT Plus subscribers. A pivotal new feature for Codex is its ability to access the internet. While this internet access is disabled by default to ensure user control and security, it represents a substantial leap forward. When enabled, it allows Codex to fetch up-to-date information, libraries and documentation directly from the web, enabling it to perform more complex and contextually relevant coding operations. This capability is particularly beneficial for tasks requiring external data or knowledge beyond its pre-trained model.
Users can also leverage voice input to dictate coding instructions. Codex also boasts improved handling of pull requests, streamlining a crucial aspect of collaborative software development by assisting with code review and integration. Codex is deeply integrated within the ChatGPT environment and is powered by a special version of OpenAI’s ‘o3’ model.
ChatGPT free users get more memory
For free users, OpenAI has rolled out its upgraded memory feature – a capability previously exclusive to paid subscribers. This upgrade allows the AI chatbot to remember details from past conversations and user preferences, leading to more personalised and relevant responses in future interactions.
The memory feature is designed to make ChatGPT more helpful across various tasks, such as writing, learning, and seeking advice, by eliminating the need for users to repeatedly provide the same information. Users maintain full control over their privacy. They can manage what ChatGPT remembers, disable the memory feature entirely, or opt for “temporary chats” for conversations they do not wish the AI to retain. While free users receive a “lightweight” version providing short-term continuity, paid subscribers still benefit from a more comprehensive, long-term memory. The rollout is automatic for most free users with memory enabled.
