Islamabad, 17 May, 2025: OpenAI has officially unveiled its latest AI models, GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini for ChatGPT users, the company revealed.
In a post on X, also known as Twitter the company said these new versions are now accessible to subscribers of the ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team plans, while the GPT-4.1 mini is also available to users on the free version.
Sharper Coding Skills and Smarter Instructions
Company representative Shaokyi Amdo highlighted that GPT-4.1 brings improved functionality for programming tasks, such as writing and fixing code.
Compared to GPT-4o, the updated model is said to deliver superior performance when following user instructions and handling logical reasoning, all while operating at a faster pace.
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This update also signals the retirement of the previous GPT-4.0 mini, which has now been replaced by the more advanced GPT-4.1 mini.
Initial Launch Faced Backlash
The models were initially rolled out via OpenAI’s developer API in April 2024, but the launch drew pushback from portions of the AI research field due to the absence of a formal safety report.
OpenAI responded by stating that GPT-4.1 did not qualify as a “frontier model,” and thus didn’t require the same level of public transparency.
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Johannes Heidecke, who heads OpenAI’s safety systems, clarified that GPT-4.1 “doesn’t introduce new modalities or surpass o3 in intelligence,” implying that the model carries a lower risk profile.
To accompany the update, ChatGPT also introduced a new Safety Evaluations Hub, promising more regular insights into how the company evaluates and monitors potential model risks.
AI Coding Tools Under Competitive Heat
This launch comes at a time when competition in AI-assisted coding tools is rapidly heating up. OpenAI is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Windsurf, a well-known AI programming platform in a deal valued around $3 billion.
Meanwhile, Google responded the same day by expanding its Gemini assistant to offer tighter integration with GitHub projects, a clear move to strengthen its presence in the AI development tools market.
