OpenAI’s lineup of AI models is getting more crowded than a Black Friday sale 🛍️, and honestly, it’s like trying to choose your favorite kid. The o3 and o4-mini have just joined the party, rubbing shoulders with GPT-4.5 (still in the testing phase, like a teenager) and GPT-4o, which is currently the go-to for ChatGPT users. But how do they really perform when the rubber meets the road? We rolled up our sleeves and put them through their paces with tests that mimic the kind of stuff you’d actually ask them.
First off, we tackled visual reasoning. Imagine throwing a Sudoku puzzle at them, not just for the answer but for a play-by-play. They all aced it, but the o3 and o4-mini were like math whizzes, precise and to the point. GPT-4o and GPT-4.5, on the other hand, were more like that friend who explains things with too many words. And when we threw an impossible Sudoku into the mix? GPT-4o’s solution was… let’s just say it thought outside the box, filling the grid with zeros. Talk about a creative interpretation. 😮
Then, we switched gears to creativity, asking for a poem about the seasons with each line starting with the next letter of the alphabet. They all followed the rules, but o3’s non-rhyming version was like that avant-garde artist at the gallery opening. GPT-4.5, though? It wrote something that could make a grown man cry. Who knew AI could be so poetic?
Next up, we played kitchen roulette, giving them a bunch of random ingredients to see what they’d cook up. o3 was like a food scientist, explaining why its dish would be delicious. GPT-4.5, however, went full Gordon Ramsay, suggesting a whole menu. That mango-mint sorbet? Pure culinary genius. 🍽️
Finally, we dived into the nuances of language, asking for a culturally spot-on Japanese translation of ‘It’s raining cats and dogs.’ They all nailed the idiom, but GPT-4o added an emoji that was the cherry on top. It’s amazing how these models can weave language and culture together like they’ve been doing it for years.
So, what’s the verdict? Each model shines in its own way: o3 for its laser focus, o4-mini for its speed, GPT-4.5 for its almost eerie human touch, and GPT-4o for its love of emojis. For everyday tasks, you’re in good hands with any of them. But if you’re looking for a sous-chef, GPT-4.5 might just surprise you. Bon appétit! �
