OpenAI's Next Big Thing: Meet Orion

OpenAI is cooking up something super exciting.

It’s called Orion, and it’s set to be the next big thing, following right after ChatGPT. Let’s dive into what we know so far!

When is Orion Launching?

Mark your calendars! OpenAI is planning to drop Orion by December 2024. That’s about two years after ChatGPT turned the AI world upside down. They’re really taking their time with this one, which makes it all the more intriguing.

Who Gets to Try Orion First?

Now, this is where things get a bit exclusive. When Orion first comes out, it’s not going to be like ChatGPT, which everyone could play around with. Instead, only a few selected companies that OpenAI works closely with will get to use it initially. These companies will get a chance to build their own special products and features using Orion.

How Powerful is Orion?

Here’s the exciting bit. An OpenAI executive spilled the beans that Orion could be up to 100 times more powerful than GPT-4! Yep, you read that right. Imagine what you could do with something that beefed up. It’s mind-boggling to think about.

What Makes Orion Different?

Orion is not to be confused with the “o1” reasoning model that came out in September. It’s a step up from GPT-4 and is being groomed as its successor. However, it’s still up in the air if they’ll actually call it GPT-5 when it goes live for everyone. OpenAI has big plans with their models, aiming to merge them into something even more amazing, something they’re calling AGI, or artificial general intelligence.

The Microsoft Connection

Microsoft and OpenAI are best buds. Microsoft is getting ready to host Orion on its Azure platform, aiming for as soon as November. So, if you’re a Microsoft fan, this definitely spices things up.

The Countdown Begins

Behind the scenes, OpenAI engineers have apparently already celebrated finishing Orion’s training last September. And there was an intriguing hint from OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who tossed in a cryptic reference to “winter constellations”—likely nodding to the Orion constellation.

The Big Picture

This whole Orion thing is happening while OpenAI is at a critical turning point. They’ve just come off a massive $6.6 billion funding round and had to rework their business model to be more for-profit. Plus, a few significant folks have left the team recently.

Wrapping It Up

Orion is shaping up to be a major leap in AI tech. While it’s under tight wraps initially, its power and potential could change the game across various industries. It’s clear OpenAI is treading cautiously, making sure they manage Orion’s capabilities wisely.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about what it can do and how it will be used, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be exciting to watch how things unfold!