OpenAI has launched a festive marketing campaign called “Shipmas,” which promises 12 days filled with new product releases, demos, and feature updates. With the holiday season fast approaching, OpenAI is using this time to introduce exciting innovations across its platforms. Here’s a recap of the announcements so far:

Day 1: The Full Release of o1 and ChatGPT Pro

The campaign kicked off with a major release: the full version of OpenAI’s reasoning model, o1. Previously available in a limited form to ChatGPT Plus and Team users, o1 is now accessible with enhanced features. These models are faster, smarter, and more capable, now supporting both image and text inputs simultaneously. Max Schwarzer, a researcher at OpenAI, explained that the updated o1 makes significantly fewer mistakes (about 34% less) and thinks 50% faster than its preview version.

Additionally, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Pro, a new subscription tier priced at $200 per month, offering unlimited access to the latest version of o1 and other advanced features.

Day 2: Customizable AI Models

On the second day, OpenAI unveiled a new feature allowing users to fine-tune the o1 model using their own datasets. This capability is powered by OpenAI’s reinforcement-learning algorithms, mimicking human trial-and-error learning. The new tool will be available publicly in 2024, enabling a wide range of users—from machine-learning engineers to researchers in fields like genetics—to create custom AI models. OpenAI has already teamed up with Reuters to develop a legal assistant using o1-mini and with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to develop AI tools for genetic research.

Day 3: Launch of Sora—AI-Powered Video Generation Tool

On Day 3, OpenAI introduced Sora, a cutting-edge AI tool that generates videos from text prompts. Sora can create up to 20-second-long videos, as well as extend existing videos by filling in missing frames. The tool is designed to revolutionize the way video content is created by making it accessible and customizable through AI.

Sora includes an “Explore” page, showcasing a community feed of videos generated by users, and features various style presets such as pastel symmetry and film noir. A notable feature, Storyboard, allows users to organize and edit sequences on a timeline for further customization.

Currently, Sora is available in the U.S. and many other countries, with a delay in its availability in the UK and Europe. ChatGPT Plus subscribers, who pay $20 per month, can generate 50 AI video clips per month, each 5 seconds long with a 720p resolution. ChatGPT Pro subscribers, at $200 per month, enjoy unlimited generations in slower modes and 500 faster generations, with up to 20-second-long videos at 1080p resolution without watermarks.

Looking Ahead

OpenAI’s ‘Shipmas’ campaign is just getting started, and fans are eagerly awaiting what’s next, especially a potential update to Sora, as well as new features for ChatGPT and the o1 models. CEO Sam Altman teased that more exciting releases and demos are on the horizon, so stay tuned for the next big announcement!