OpenAI is set to release its next major AI model, Orion, by December, according to new reports from The Verge. Orion is being heralded as a massive leap in AI capability, with insiders teasing that it could be up to 100 times more powerful than the current GPT-4 model. However, unlike previous models, Orion won’t be released directly to the public through ChatGPT. Instead, select companies working closely with OpenAI will receive early access to build their own products and features around it.
One of OpenAI’s closest collaborators, Microsoft, is already gearing up to host Orion on Azure as early as November. This partnership is pivotal in the rollout of Orion, which is expected to transform the AI landscape, though it’s unclear whether OpenAI will label the model as GPT-5.
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Advanced Capabilities and the Road to AGI
Orion represents the next frontier in OpenAI’s pursuit of creating more advanced AI models. It’s designed to build on the success of previous releases like GPT-4o and o1. While these models focused on specific improvements, Orion is expected to set a new standard for what large language models (LLMs) can achieve. OpenAI’s long-term goal is to combine its various AI models to develop Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—a highly autonomous AI capable of performing tasks at a human-like level.
Orion’s development relied heavily on synthetic data generated by OpenAI’s o1 model, which was internally codenamed Strawberry. After a successful training phase, which was celebrated within the company in September, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman cryptically hinted at the upcoming model in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Altman alluded to “winter constellations,” which many have interpreted as a reference to Orion, a constellation that becomes prominent during winter months.
Strategic Timing Amid OpenAI’s Transformation
Orion’s release coincides with a transformative period for OpenAI. The company recently closed a monumental $6.6 billion funding round, which has prompted a shift to a for-profit entity. This restructuring comes at a time of significant internal change, with key executives like CTO Mira Murati, Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew, and VP of Post Training Barret Zoph leaving the company. Despite this, OpenAI is determined to push forward with Orion’s release, as it could define the next chapter of AI innovation.
