OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 and GPT-5

A Unified Vision for the Future of AI

By synthesizing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s recent announcements and the company’s technical roadmap, this article explores the strategic shift toward simplifying AI systems, integrating advanced reasoning capabilities, and unifying fragmented tools into cohesive, user-centric platforms. Below, we break down the implications of GPT-4.5 (“Orion”), GPT-5, and the role of chain-of-thought (CoT) reasoning in reshaping AI’s future.

The Transition to GPT-4.5: The End of Non-Reasoning Models

Orion: OpenAI’s Final Non-Chain-of-Thought Model

GPT-4.5, internally codenamed “Orion,” marks the culmination of OpenAI’s pre-CoT reasoning models. Designed as a bridge between GPT-4 and GPT-5, Orion aims to refine existing capabilities while avoiding the complexity of simulated reasoning (SR) systems like o3. According to Altman, Orion will focus on improving usability, addressing GPT-4’s weaknesses such as factual inconsistencies and inefficiency in processing complex queries and maintaining high performance for straightforward tasks.