Since its inception in November 2022, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has transformed the landscape of AI-driven communication tools. With a staggering adoption rate, more than 92% of Fortune 500 companies now utilize this text-generating chatbot, which has rapidly evolved from a simple productivity enhancer into a leader in the AI industry.
This meteoric rise has catapulted OpenAI into the spotlight, especially with its recent collaboration with Apple to introduce Apple Intelligence—an innovative generative AI feature. The partnership underscores the growing demand for AI capabilities across various tech platforms.
2024 has also ushered in GPT-4o, OpenAI’s latest flagship model, which combines advanced voice and vision functionalities. Notably, a demo of the new feature led to the suspension of a voice option, named Sky, following complaints about its resemblance to Scarlett Johansson’s voice from the film “Her.”
However, OpenAI is navigating significant challenges, including the unexpected exit of co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever and ongoing legal battles, notably a copyright infringement lawsuit from publications owned by Alden Global Capital, including the New York Daily News.
Here’s a comprehensive look at the recent developments and updates surrounding ChatGPT, alongside a timeline highlighting key releases throughout the year.
Recent ChatGPT Updates Timeline
September 2024
OpenAI Hits 1 Million Paid Users for Corporate Services
OpenAI surpassed a remarkable milestone with over 1 million paid corporate subscriptions for products like ChatGPT Team, ChatGPT Enterprise, and ChatGPT Edu, showcasing particularly strong uptake in the U.S.
Volkswagen Introduces ChatGPT Assistant to U.S. Vehicles
Volkswagen is integrating the ChatGPT voice assistant into its vehicles across the U.S., with the rollout scheduled to commence on September 6 for 2025 models of the Jetta and Jetta GLI.
August 2024
OpenAI Partners with Condé Nast
A strategic content partnership with Condé Nast enables OpenAI to feature articles from renowned titles such as The New Yorker and Vogue within ChatGPT and SearchGPT, confirming the agreement includes financial aspects and permission for training on Condé Nast’s content.
Exploring ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode
TechCrunch’s Maxwell Zeff noted that the newly introduced Advanced Voice Mode presents a remarkable experience, claiming it offers swifter responses and a knack for complex inquiries, although it falls short of traditional virtual assistant capabilities.
OpenAI Discontinues Iranian Influence Operation Using ChatGPT
OpenAI recently suspended several ChatGPT accounts linked to an Iranian effort to manipulate public opinion surrounding the U.S. presidential election, which involved generating articles across various political viewpoints.
Discovering Quirks in GPT-4o
GPT-4o has demonstrated some unpredictable behaviors, including mimicking speakers’ tones and exhibiting erratic outbursts mid-conversation, showing the ever-evolving nature of AI technology.
Record Revenue Month for ChatGPT Mobile App
The mobile version of ChatGPT achieved its highest earnings on record, generating $28 million in July following the launch of GPT-4o.
New Watermarking Technology to Detect Cheating
With a tool designed to identify text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI is contemplating release strategies for its watermarking technology that aims to address academic integrity concerns.
July 2024
Advanced Voice Mode Begins Limited Rollout
Users have started accessing the alpha version of ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode, intended to enhance conversational interaction, an initiative altered due to an earlier controversy surrounding its likeness to a celebrity voice.
OpenAI Trials SearchGPT Prototype
OpenAI is currently testing a new search interface, SearchGPT, designed to furnish users with quick answers and relevant follow-ups, an alternative to Google’s search functionalities.
OpenAI Anticipates Major Financial Losses
A report suggests that OpenAI could face losses as steep as $5 billion in 2024 due to significant operational expenses involved in maintaining ChatGPT.
Introduction of GPT-4o Mini
OpenAI introduced GPT-4o mini, designed to be more agile and cost-effective while outperforming competitors in reasoning tasks, establishing itself as the new entry-level model.
New Collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory
OpenAI’s partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory aims to enhance research in healthcare by leveraging AI technology, further bolstering OpenAI’s footprint in scientific collaboration.
June 2024
Launch of CriticGPT for Quality Assurance
OpenAI has unveiled CriticGPT, a specialized model to detect errors in GPT-4’s outputs, enhancing the reliability of AI-generated responses.
Time Magazine’s Content Deal with OpenAI
OpenAI’s partnership with TIME promises integration of both modern and archived content into ChatGPT, paving the way for innovative engagement with media.
Postponement of New Voice Feature
Delays in the rollout of ChatGPT’s voice feature were announced due to unresolved issues, indicating OpenAI’s commitment to ensuring reliability prior to launch.
ChatGPT App Launches for macOS
The long-awaited macOS app is now available, enabling convenient access through keyboard shortcuts and file uploads directly to ChatGPT.
Integration of ChatGPT into Apple Ecosystem
Apple’s announcement to integrate ChatGPT functionalities into Siri and other applications promises to enhance user experience across its operating systems.
Scarlett Johansson Invited to Congressional Hearing
A House Oversight Subcommittee has invited Scarlett Johansson to testify regarding her concerns over the Sky voice that drew significant public attention.
ChatGPT Faces Multiple Outages
Users experienced significant service disruptions, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to the infrastructure supporting ChatGPT.
May 2024
Partnerships with Atlantic and Vox Media
Content licensing agreements with The Atlantic and Vox Media enable OpenAI to tap into extensive journalistic resources, enriching ChatGPT’s response generation capabilities.
Major Partnership with PwC
Signing on 100,000 users from PwC marks a significant achievement for OpenAI, affirming its prominence in enterprise applications.
Initiating Development on GPT-5
OpenAI disclosed its work to launch a successor to GPT-4, underscoring its continuous quest for improvement in AI technologies.
April 2024
U.S. Newspapers Charge OpenAI with Copyright Violation
A lawsuit alleging copyright infringement by Alden Global Capital-owned papers highlights the legal scrutiny surrounding OpenAI’s use of copyrighted materials.
Financial Times Licensing Deal in Europe
A recurring theme of partnerships continues with the Financial Times, as their content will become accessible within ChatGPT.
Expansion into Japan with New Office
With the opening of its Tokyo office, OpenAI reinforces its commitment to adapting its technology for global markets.
Sam Altman’s Corporate Outreach
Sam Altman’s efforts to engage Fortune 500 companies reflect OpenAI’s strategic focus on corporate applications of ChatGPT technology.
Updated GPT-4 Turbo Version Launched
The latest iteration of GPT-4 Turbo is designed to be more concise and efficient, targeting advancements in logic and problem-solving capabilities.
March 2024
Increased Spam in GPT Store
Concerns have arisen regarding the quality of offerings in the GPT Store, with the presence of numerous inconsistencies and potential misuse of AI technology.
New York Times Responds to OpenAI’s Legal Claims
In a response pertaining to ongoing litigation, The New York Times contested OpenAI’s assertive claims about accessing their content without permission.
OpenAI Officially Lacks Position on Artist Compensation
OpenAI faces scrutiny over its policies regarding artist compensation for works used in AI training, a sensitive conversation in the creative community.
ChatGPT’s Environmental Impact Comes Under Fire
Reports indicate ChatGPT’s substantial energy consumption, prompting discussions about the environmental implications of large-scale AI systems.
New “Read Aloud” Feature Launches
OpenAI rolled out a new feature allowing ChatGPT to audibly respond to queries, adding an interactive layer to user engagement.
February 2024
Partnership with Dublin City Council
OpenAI’s collaboration with the Dublin City Council aims to enhance visitor experiences through personalized travel itineraries powered by GPT-4 technology.
Legal Billing Controversy Involving ChatGPT
A New York law firm drew criticism for utilizing ChatGPT to justify hefty legal bills, raising ethical questions about AI application in professional services.
Bizarre ChatGPT Bugs Displayed
Temporary issues affecting ChatGPT showcased the unexpected challenges associated with AI technologies, leaving users seeking clarity and solutions.
Match Group’s ChatGPT Co-Written Press Release
ChatGPT played a role in co-writing a press release for Match Group, highlighting the integration of AI in corporate communications.
Memory Features for ChatGPT
OpenAI began testing memory features, allowing users to dictate what ChatGPT retains from conversations, enhancing personalization in future interactions.
January 2024
Integration of GPTs in Conversations
Paid users can now incorporate various GPTs into their conversations, aiming to enhance interactivity and cater to diverse user needs.
Potential Data Leaks from ChatGPT Conversations
Reports emerged regarding potential leaks of sensitive user information, prompting further scrutiny and necessitating a thorough investigation.
Compliance Issues in the EU
Amidst ongoing legal challenges, OpenAI is working to address compliance points in EU privacy laws to maintain user trust and regulatory standards.
Collaborative AI Guidelines Development
OpenAI formed a partnership with Common Sense Media to aid in establishing ethical guidelines surrounding AI use, pursuing improved safety measures.
OpenAI’s Diversity Initiatives in Governance
In response to concerns about board diversity, OpenAI communicated its goals and ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive governance structure.
Price Reductions and Improvements to GPT-4
OpenAI reduced prices of GPT-3.5’s API usage while implementing upgrades to enhance overall model performance and user experience.
Ban on Impersonation Bots Enforced
OpenAI acted swiftly to ban developer Delphi after the creation of a bot impersonating a presidential candidate, adhering to its policies against misinformation.
Engagement with Arizona State University
A partnership with Arizona State University aims to leverage ChatGPT for pedagogical improvements, creating personalized educational experiences.
Author Embraces ChatGPT in Literary Work
Rie Kudan disclosed that around 5% of her award-winning novel incorporated ChatGPT-generated content, illustrating the blurring lines between AI and creativity.
Sam Altman Talks Future Innovations
In an interview, Sam Altman hinted at upcoming features for GPT-5, including full integration of multimedia capabilities, indicating an exciting future for OpenAI’s offerings.
New Governance Team Initiatives
OpenAI is establishing a Collective Alignment team to integrate public feedback into its AI models, promoting a more community-involved approach.
Election Misinformation Prevention Strategies
OpenAI outlined measures to prevent misuse of its platform for political campaigning, aiming to promote transparency and integrity in AI-assisted communication.
Policy Update on Military Use of AI
In recent changes, OpenAI amended its policies to allow military applications, highlighting its strategic flexibility amid evolving market needs.
Launch of ChatGPT Team Subscription
OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Team—a collaborative subscription plan designed to facilitate team interactions and share AI resources effectively.
Official Launch of the GPT Store
The eagerly awaited GPT Store launched, offering users a wider variety of GPT-powered applications, extending the utility of OpenAI’s technology.
ChatGPT’s rapid ascent in the AI realm is not merely due to technological advancements but also reflects its ability to adapt to market needs and face challenges head-on. With ongoing developments, partnerships, and legal challenges, OpenAI is at the forefront of a dynamic landscape where AI and user experience converge.
