Beyond the Bot Ep. 1: ChatGPT Updates, GPT-5 & the Future of AI Access

Tony and Steven for Beyond the Bot Episode 1

In this episode of Beyond the Bot, hosts Tony DeHart and Steven King unpack the latest ChatGPT updates and future of generative AI with a focus on OpenAI's roadmap for GPT-5. The discussion explores how new features—like automated model selection, tiered intelligence access, and expanded API capabilities—will shape the next wave of AI adoption. With real implications for developers, startups, and enterprises alike, the conversation tackles pressing topics such as data privacy, the AI arms race, and the growing role of multimodal models. Whether you're running a small business or building the next chatbot, this episode offers practical insights on how to leverage OpenAI's evolving tools and APIs to stay competitive in an increasingly crowded tech landscape.

Transcript:

Tony DeHart: Hello and welcome to Beyond the Bot, where we bring you the latest in emerging technologies and how to put them to work in your business today. I'm Tony DeHart.

Steven King: And I'm Steven King, and we're here in the Blue Sky Lab.

Tony DeHart: So the big news this week, Steven, is in the world of AI. Sam Altman gave us a glimpse at his roadmap for GPT-5—the highly anticipated release of OpenAI's latest model. Can you give us a little bit of insight into what's going on?

Steven King: First of all, they're trying to communicate a little sooner and more transparently. Sam gave us some interesting insights into their next steps. One major change is in how users will receive and interact with models. Rather than choosing the model yourself, the system will automatically select the most efficient one based on your query.

Tony DeHart: That sounds like it’s being positioned as a better user experience. But does it also mean losing some control?

Steven King: Exactly. From a philosophical standpoint, that’s the tension. I might know the problem and context best and want to choose a specific model. But OpenAI is saying, “We know what’s best,” and will choose for you. It’s a double-edged sword—streamlining for most users while potentially frustrating power users.

Tony DeHart: It’s almost a running joke now—“OpenAI killed my startup.” Every big announcement seems to flood the developer market with folks looking for work. What does this mean for the dev community building on OpenAI’s APIs?

Steven King: If your startup didn’t provide meaningful value beyond a wrapper for existing functionality, you might get edged out. It’s like when flashlight apps were popular—until Apple just built it into iOS. But this also democratizes access. More developers and businesses can leverage powerful tech through streamlined APIs.

Tony DeHart: And what about everyday users using GPT in a browser?

Steven King: For general users, it’s going to get easier. Most people don’t know which model to pick anyway. Now OpenAI will decide that for them. What’s interesting is the tiered structure: free, Plus, and Pro. They’ll all access the same models but with different levels of “intelligence.”

Tony DeHart: That’s a huge shift. We used to stratify based on usage. Now it’s stratified by intelligence. What does that mean exactly?

Steven King: We don’t have all the details yet. But imagine needing fewer prompts to get a high-quality answer. If before it took five iterations, maybe now it takes one or two. That kind of efficiency could redefine single-shot prompting.

Tony DeHart: For businesses, this could really drive value. Does this more straightforward development pattern mean we’ll see more small businesses using it?

Steven King: Absolutely. Easier tools lead to broader adoption. From individual users to large corporations with secure API implementations, more people will put this to work in new, creative ways. Wall Street will be watching too—comparing OpenAI’s efficiency and competitiveness.

Tony DeHart: Speaking of competition, how does this roadmap position OpenAI in the global AI arms race?

Steven King: Everyone’s watching after DeepSeek. Can OpenAI maintain its edge? Investors and analysts will look at energy usage, environmental impact, and user satisfaction. The more they can pack into their API, the more versatile the applications—from robotics to environmental sensing.

Tony DeHart: One of the biggest updates is the move toward multimodal models. Voice, video, images—will this fundamentally change how we interact with AI?

Steven King: I see it as incremental. Companies will experiment, but chat remains the primary interface for now. We’ll see more human-like interactions, especially in physical devices like humanoid robots, but we’re not at a complete interface shift yet.

Tony DeHart: Adoption rates surged early on but seem to have plateaued. Will this change things?

Steven King: Like all tech, we’ve hit the post-hype dip. For wider adoption, OpenAI and others need to address privacy and trust. Non-users often hesitate because they don’t understand the tech or don’t trust it. This release improves functionality but doesn’t directly resolve those concerns.

Tony DeHart: So what should users do to protect themselves?

Steven King: Be aware of what data you’re sharing. Don’t input proprietary or sensitive info unless you’re in a protected corporate environment. Use it for general problem-solving. I trust OpenAI to give me good answers, but I’m still cautious with our company’s private data.

Tony DeHart: Trust is twofold—trusting the answers and trusting how your data is handled.

Steven King: Exactly. Trust has many layers.

Tony DeHart: Well, it’s certainly exciting to see what’s coming. If GPT-5 really does “just work,” as Sam Altman says, it’s going to be a game changer.

Steven King: Looking forward to many more conversations here on Beyond the Bot as we continue exploring how emerging technologies can impact your business.

Tony DeHart: Thanks for joining us.

Steven King: Thanks.