This past week, OpenAI launched GPT 4.5. The latest version of their language model that promises significant improvements. But what do these developments actually mean in practice, and are they worth the higher costs? We dove in and tell you what sets this model apart from its predecessors.
What makes GPT 4.5 special?
At Collow.ai, we have had the opportunity to test GPT 4.5 extensively, and we can confirm that there are actually two significant improvements:
- The model exhibits noticeably fewer hallucinations and shows a deeper understanding of context. This manifests itself in more accurate responses and better processing of complex instructions.
- GPT-4.5 shows a surprisingly improved understanding of human emotions and intentions. The model better senses what users really mean, even when not explicitly stated. In our tests, we noticed that conversations felt more natural – less like talking to a computer and more like a real conversation partner. This “emotional intelligence” makes the model particularly valuable for coaching, creative writing and other applications where nuance is important. This “more human” aspect is also confirmed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who mentioned on Twitter that the model has become more sophisticated in understanding subtle social cues and nuances in communication.
The other side of the coin
Despite these improvements, there is one major obstacle standing in the way of large-scale adoption: cost. GPT 4.5 is as much as 30 times more expensive than GPT 4o, a price increase that is difficult to justify for many applications.
This cost structure makes the model especially suitable for:
- Scientific research where accuracy is crucial
- Very specific niche applications where the improved performance justifies the higher cost
What does this mean for the everyday user?
An important point for companies wanting to work with this technology: OpenAI has not yet decided whether GPT-4.5 will remain permanently available through their API. The model requires so much computing power that it is uncertain whether they can or will offer it for a long time. This brings additional risks for companies considering building their services on it – in addition to the higher costs, you have to count on potential availability problems in the future.
Looking ahead
We see GPT 4.5 primarily as an evolutionary step toward what can truly become a game-changer: GPT 5. This version, expected later this year, could well be the revolutionary leap the AI community has been waiting for.
For now, we will continue to monitor developments and experiment with how best to use these new models for practical applications that actually add value for our customers.
Curious about how we can support your organization in adopting AI? Then get in touch, we are happy to engage in conversation!
