Speculation runs wild for new GPT model after Altman posts strawberry garden

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s unusual post about his garden has left X wondering if it’s a far-fetched hint about the next iteration of ChatGPT.

Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT creator OpenAI, has stirred up speculation on social media about a potential new GPT model after posting a seemingly innocent photo of his garden. 

Eagle-eyed speculators noticed the photo contained three ripe-looking strawberries, with one yet to turn red, which X users theorized could be a far-field hint at the widely anticipated ChatGPT 4.5 model.

One user, “Mirra,” said, “4 strawberries… and another half-developed one…this must be a sign of GPT 4.5!”

“It’s happening,” AI educator Dogan Ural wrote as others echoed to “stop teasing.”

Others were not so amused by the unusual post. “Why can’t you speak plainly, man,” Altera co-founder Nico Christie added.

On May 14, OpenAI announced its latest AI model, GPT-4o, a chattier, more humanlike AI chatbot that can interpret a user’s audio and video and respond in real time.

Anticipation over the next iteration of ChatGPT

Altman didn’t confirm or deny any speculation from his social media post other than confirming the photo was of his “actual garden.” 

Meanwhile, OpenAI has yet to officially comment or announce any ChatGPT 4.5 developments, yet there is speculation online that it may improve speed, accuracy, and the ability to handle more complex tasks.

GPT builder Kristi Hines predicted in an April 30 post that “GPT-4.5 Turbo for ChatGPT subscribers arrives in the summer. GPT-4 becomes freely accessible.”

Recent debates over OpenAI longevity

It comes only days after debate over whether OpenAI’s business model is sustainable in the long term.

Technology commentator Edward Zitron ultimately believes “that OpenAI in its current form is untenable,” and for OpenAI to “survive” beyond 2026, it will need to secure more funding than any startup in history and raise it continuously.

Related: OpenAI’s current business model is ‘untenable’ — Report

“Generative AI is intensely expensive to train and run, and OpenAI is probably gonna have to raise more money this year to stay afloat,” LA Times columnist Brian Merchant echoed.

However, others are not so sure.

“OpenAI has changed the world forever and will NEVER go bankrupt,” Abacus.AI CEO Bindu Reddy argued.