OpenAI beefs up GPT models in AI race with Google

OpenAI unveiled its latest artificial intelligence models on Thursday, downplaying concerns about how it will monetize its investments amid a heated technology race with Google. The San Francisco-based company introduced GPT-5.2 Pro and GPT-5.2 Thinking, touting them as its most advanced models yet for handling complex math and science tasks.

“Strong mathematical reasoning underpins reliability in scientific and technical work,” OpenAI said in a blog post. “These capabilities are also closely linked to progress toward artificial general intelligence.” AGI, or artificial general intelligence, is widely regarded in tech circles as a milestone where machines can think like humans—or even surpass them.

The release comes shortly after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman encouraged his team to keep pace with Google, which has been aggressively innovating in AI. While Google leverages its enormous online ad revenue to fund AI development, OpenAI has poured tens of billions of dollars into computing infrastructure without yet turning a profit.

“We are confident we can continue driving revenue growth to match our investments in computing power,” Altman said in a Thursday interview with CNBC. He added that infrastructure is crucial for growth and expressed optimism, stating there are far more reasons to be hopeful than pessimistic.

OpenAI’s chief of applications, Fidji Simo, told reporters that the company expects a ChatGPT “adult mode” to launch early next year. The feature will first improve detection of user age before becoming available. Earlier this year, Altman announced plans to relax restrictions to allow adult users to engage in erotic conversations with ChatGPT.

OpenAI is also confronting legal challenges, with families suing the company, alleging that it enabled teenagers to have dangerous interactions with its chatbots—interactions that in some cases contributed to suicide. Simo confirmed that OpenAI had issued a “red alert” in response to Google’s rapid progress but rejected claims that this accelerated the release of new GPT models.

Google, meanwhile, last month debuted its latest Gemini AI model, marking a dramatic recovery since it was caught off guard by ChatGPT’s launch three years ago and criticized for early missteps in its AI efforts. OpenAI’s new models signal its continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI, particularly in scientific and technical applications, while maintaining its strategic race with Google at the forefront.