Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has indicated that the release of GPT-5 could take place as early as this summer. It’s a broad window, but one whose uncertainty is acknowledged. The announcement, which does not specify any timeline, reflects a desire for caution, or even strategic restraint.
When asked about the launch plans for the new GPT-5 model, Altman admitted that the exact date had not yet been set. He emphasized a prerequisite: as long as the internal standards set by OpenAI are not met, the model simply will not be made public. These technical and qualitative criteria are part of a continuous evaluation process.
The wording used by Altman, rather vague, also reflects the dilemma the company is facing. Should they bet on the buzz generated by a new number after GPT, or favor continuous improvement, like what was done with GPT-4o—a version whose name remained unchanged, but whose performance had significantly improved over time?
All the more so since OpenAI is not limiting itself to GPT-5. The company has confirmed that other models, including GPTs and the Operator agent, will also benefit from a major update. In this context, GPT-5 is just one element of a broader strategy, oriented toward integrated uses, such as Gmail email analysis or automatic calendar management via ChatGPT.
The release of GPT-5 therefore remains conditional, not on a marketing schedule, but on the achievement of internal thresholds that the company does not make public. Altman does not deny the expectations, but he insists: "I don’t know exactly when." A phrase that, instead of reassuring or exciting, places the future model under the sign of maturation rather than haste.
The ambition remains that GPT-5 should mark a breakthrough, or at least a clear progression compared to its predecessor. OpenAI says it is "confident" that the model will be "a bit more competitive," which, incidentally, reflects a certain caution on the company’s part. A release for the summer is therefore being considered, but nothing is guaranteed.
In the meantime, teams are continuing their work on several fronts. GPT-5 is not alone on the agenda. The Operator Agent, now more precise with o3, is among the tools the company intends to improve. Behind the scenes, other developments, sometimes aimed at a 2026 horizon, complete the picture.
GPT-5, yes, but not at any cost.