ChatGPT-5 underwhelming you? Here's what it can do that older models couldn't—and where other AI chatbots still shine

ChatGPT-5 (Credit: Jonathan Raa / NurPhoto—Getty Images)

Last Thursday, OpenAI launched the latest version of its hyper-popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, made some pretty big claims about GPT-5 during its unveiling.

“GPT-3 was sort of like talking to a high school student: There were flashes of brilliance, lots of annoyance, but people started to use it and get some value out of it,” he said. “With GPT-4, maybe it was like talking to a college student: real intelligence, real utility. But with GPT-5, now it’s like talking to an expert: a legitimate Ph.D-level expert in anything, any area you need, on demand that can help you with whatever your goals are.”