OpenAI is reportedly considering a significant price hike for its premium ChatGPT subscriptions, potentially up to $2,000. This change could apply to the current monthly or annual fee or represent an entirely new tier for access to next-gen AI capabilities.
The proposed price increase may be tied to OpenAI’s development of new, more powerful AI models. One such model, codenamed “Strawberry,” aims to tackle complex reasoning tasks beyond the reach of current language models.
The new AI models would refine themselves based on human feedback and real-world data. Developing these sophisticated AI models comes with high costs, including an estimated $700,000 per day to run the existing ChatGPT.
Premium Features and Tier System
The current ChatGPT Plus subscription, which costs $20 per month, offers benefits like priority access, custom AI assistants, the DALL-E 3 image generator, and other advanced features. The new premium tier would likely offer more advanced features and capabilities.
Charging premium prices for cutting-edge AI access could be a long-term solution for OpenAI, but it risks reducing demand. This situation is ironic, given ChatGPT’s recent success in attracting users. The platform now boasts over 200 million weekly active users and more than 1 million businesses subscribing to its tiers, yet the business continues to face financial difficulties.
If OpenAI introduces the rumored $2,000 subscription, it could mark a major shift, reserving the most advanced generative AI for enterprises. This move raises questions about whether the new strategy aligns with OpenAI’s mission to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.
The proposed price hike of ChatGPT subscriptions from $20 per month to $2,000 has sparked debate among users and raises concerns about the future of accessible AI. OpenAI’s development of advanced AI models, such as the “Strawberry” model, is a significant undertaking that requires substantial financial resources. However, the question remains whether this price increase will reserve the most advanced generative AI for enterprises, contradicting OpenAI’s mission to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.
OpenAI’s financial struggles are no secret, with reports indicating potential losses of up to $5 billion this year and the risk of running out of cash within 12 months. While the price hike may help stabilize the company’s finances, it risks reducing demand and potentially alienating individual users who can no longer afford the premium features.
The introduction of a $2,000 subscription would undoubtedly signal a major shift in OpenAI’s strategy, prioritizing enterprises over individual users. This raises concerns about the future of accessible AI and whether the benefits of advanced AI will be reserved for those with deep pockets.