OpenAI's recent introduction of the o1-preview model marks a significant advancement in artificial intelligence, particularly in fields that demand deep reasoning, such as science, coding, and mathematics. This new line of models is designed to think more deeply and thoroughly before responding.
A Benchmark in AI Reasoning
The o1-preview model represents a significant leap forward in AI capabilities, with its performance shining in competitive and academic benchmarks. It ranks in the 89th percentile on Codeforces, placing it among the top 7% of participants, and has achieved top 500 status in the USA Math Olympiad (AIME), showcasing its strong problem-solving abilities. On the GPQA benchmark, which tests PhD-level knowledge in physics, biology, and chemistry, the model has even outperformed human experts, a first in AI capabilities.
These achievements stem from a highly efficient training process emphasizing "chain-of-thought" reasoning, where the model breaks down complex tasks into simpler steps, recognizes mistakes, and adjusts its approach.
Enhanced Coding Capabilities
The o1-preview model also excels in coding, as demonstrated in competitive environments like the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). It competed under the same conditions as human contestants, scoring 213 points and placing in the 49th percentile.
In simulated programming contests on Codeforces, the model further showcased its advanced capabilities, achieving an Elo rating of 1807 and outperforming 93% of human competitors.
Safety and Human Preferences
Beyond technical benchmarks, OpenAI has also focused on human preferences and AI safety with the o1-preview model. The model was preferred over its predecessor, GPT-4o, in domains requiring powerful reasoning, such as data analysis, coding, and math. However, it was less favoured in some natural language tasks, indicating that it may not be suitable for every use case.
Safety has also been a key focus in the development of o1-preview. The model integrates safety guidelines into its reasoning process, making substantial improvements in resisting "jailbreaking" attempts, where users try to bypass safety features.
Accessing and Using OpenAI o1 Models
Starting today, ChatGPT Plus and Team users can access the o1-preview and o1-mini models in ChatGPT, with initial weekly rate limits. The o1-mini model, a smaller, faster, and more cost-effective version of o1-preview, is also available.