OpenAI has announced significant advancements in artificial intelligence. During the final session of its “12 Days of OpenAI” event on Friday, the company unveiled the o3 and o3 Mini models.

Advancements in AI reasoning

These advanced reasoning models aim to improve problem-solving skills, especially in coding and complex reasoning tasks.

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OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, emphasised the transformative potential of these new models, stating that they represent a “giant leap” in AI technology.

The launch of the o3 models represents a significant advance for OpenAI, which has been a leader in AI development. The o3 model builds upon the success of its predecessor, o1, introduced in September 2024.

Unlike earlier versions, the o3 models include extended internal deliberation before generating responses. This enables them to tackle complex tasks that require advanced reasoning skills, such as competitive mathematics and scientific problem-solving.

During testing, o3 scored 96.7% on competitive math benchmarks and 87.7% on advanced PhD-level scientific reasoning tasks.

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Commitment to safety and ethics

OpenAI is conducting extensive safety testing for both models before their public release. This careful approach highlights the company’s commitment to ethical AI deployment.

Applications for early access to the o3 models will be accepted until January 10, 2025, allowing researchers to evaluate their safety and effectiveness.

The competitive landscape of AI continues to evolve rapidly, especially with rivals like Google launching their reasoning models. However, OpenAI’s focus on deliberate reasoning sets o3 apart as a pioneering force in the industry. 

As Altman noted, this launch marks the beginning of a new phase in AI development that could reshape how humans interact with technology.