OpenAI’s GPT‑4.5 Finally Arrived: Can It Beat Grok 3 and Claude 3.7?

On February 28, 2025, OpenAI unveiled GPT‑4.5—a model that marks a significant leap in natural language processing. With deeper world knowledge, a sharper understanding of user intent, and a heightened sense of empathy, GPT‑4.5 is built to deliver a more natural, engaging conversational experience.

OpenAI’s release of GPT‑4.5 was communicated clearly through several channels that highlighted both its groundbreaking capabilities and some real-world deployment challenges. In an official email, Nikunj Handa, PM at OpenAI API, introduced GPT‑4.5 as the company’s largest and most capable chat model yet. He emphasized that it excels in tasks ranging from writing assistance and brainstorming to more nuanced, natural communication.

At the same time, Sam Altman took to Twitter to share his excitement, describing the experience of interacting with GPT‑4.5 as “talking to a thoughtful person.”

However, he also noted that the model is extremely compute-intensive. Due to a surge in demand and a temporary GPU shortage, the rollout started with ChatGPT Pro users. OpenAI plans to expand access to Plus, Team, Enterprise, and Edu users over the coming weeks—a phased approach that reflects their commitment to balancing innovation with operational challenges.

Technical Innovations and Capabilities

GPT‑4.5 builds on major advances in unsupervised learning and model architecture. By scaling up both compute power and training data, the model has developed a broader and more accurate world view. This means GPT‑4.5 can generate creative insights and respond naturally without always needing explicit, step-by-step reasoning.

Unsupervised Learning at Scale

One of GPT‑4.5’s standout features is its use of unsupervised learning at an unprecedented scale. Trained on vast datasets using Microsoft Azure AI supercomputers, GPT‑4.5 now has a remarkable breadth of knowledge. This extensive training reduces hallucinations (those moments when the model makes things up) and sharpens its ability to pick up on subtle user cues. The result is an AI that interacts in a way that feels more intuitive and context-aware.

Expanded Feature Set

Beyond its improved knowledge base, GPT‑4.5 supports a range of advanced features:

• Function Calling and Structured Outputs: Developers can design applications that engage with the model in complex, multi-step workflows.
• Vision Capabilities: GPT‑4.5 can process and interpret image inputs, opening up new application areas.
• Streaming and System Messages: These features enhance real-time communication.
• Prompt Caching and Evals: They help boost efficiency and allow for more detailed performance assessments.

Even with these new features, GPT‑4.5 isn’t a direct replacement for its predecessor, GPT‑4o. Its higher computational demands and costs position it as a complementary, more specialized tool.

Benchmarking and Performance Comparisons

OpenAI has shared extensive benchmark data that shows how GPT‑4.5 stacks up against previous models and other state-of-the-art systems. The improvements span several key metrics, making conversations with GPT‑4.5 both more reliable and factually accurate.

On the SimpleQA benchmark—a test that measures factual correctness—GPT‑4.5 achieved an accuracy of 62.5%, a significant jump from GPT‑4o’s 38.2%. It also slashed hallucination rates from 61.8% down to 37.1%. These improvements highlight how scaling unsupervised learning boosts the model’s reliability.

GPT‑4.5 also shines in specialized tests:

• Science (GPQA): It scored 71.4%, demonstrating strong scientific understanding.
• Mathematics (AIME ‘24): Though complex math still poses challenges, GPT‑4.5 managed 36.7% compared to GPT‑4o’s 9.3%.
• Multilingual Understanding (MMMLU): The model scored 85.1%, just edging out GPT‑4o.
• Multimodal Tasks (MMMU): GPT‑4.5 achieved a 74.4% score, showcasing its versatility.

Use Cases and Real-World Applications

GPT‑4.5’s enhanced capabilities make it a valuable tool for both individuals and organizations. Its ability to handle complex tasks in a natural, conversational tone makes it ideal for a wide range of applications. Notably, GPT‑4.5 is more stable and significantly less prone to hallucinations than previous models, ensuring that the information it provides is both reliable and factually accurate.

Enhanced User Interactions

With refined emotional intelligence, GPT‑4.5 can hold thoughtful, empathetic conversations. Early feedback suggests that chatting with GPT‑4.5 feels like speaking with a reflective, understanding person. This makes it particularly useful for situations where users need both accurate information and emotional support—whether they’re looking for advice or just a friendly chat.

Creative and Technical Workflows

GPT‑4.5 isn’t just about conversation; it’s a versatile assistant for creative and technical tasks. It can help with writing and design, plan complex projects, and even automate coding workflows. Its ability to follow structured outputs and handle function calls means developers can integrate GPT‑4.5 into custom applications that require precise, multi-step processes.

Coding and Practical Applications

In coding tasks, GPT‑4.5 also performs strongly. Metrics like SWE-Lancer Diamond and SWE-Bench Verified show that GPT‑4.5 not only beats GPT‑4o in efficiency and accuracy but also proves its value in real-world problem-solving, particularly in multi-step coding workflows and task automation.

Safety, Supervision, and Future Directions

As AI models grow more capable, ensuring their safety becomes even more important. OpenAI has ramped up safety measures for GPT‑4.5, combining advanced supervision techniques with traditional methods like supervised fine-tuning (SFT) and reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF).

Before its release, GPT‑4.5 underwent a thorough suite of safety tests under OpenAI’s Preparedness Framework. These evaluations show that scaling up the model not only boosts its capabilities but also improves overall safety and reliability. The refined supervision helps reduce the chances of harmful or misleading outputs, which is crucial given the model’s wide impact.

While GPT‑4.5 is a major milestone, it also paves the way for future advancements. OpenAI is exploring ways to blend massive unsupervised learning with enhanced reasoning capabilities—a dual approach that could shape the next generation of AI models. Feedback from developers and users will play a key role in guiding these future innovations.

Conclusion

GPT‑4.5 is more than just an update—it’s a significant step forward in how AI understands and interacts with the world. By combining a deep, data-driven understanding of language with improved empathy and practical features, GPT‑4.5 sets the stage for more intuitive and reliable AI applications. As OpenAI continues to refine its models and tackle the challenges of scalability and safety, GPT‑4.5 stands as a powerful example of the transformative potential of advanced unsupervised learning.

With its phased rollout, impressive benchmark improvements, and versatile applications, GPT‑4.5 signals a promising future for both the technology and the communities it serves.