How Smart is ChatGPT's New o1 Model?

Introduction

The release of a new ChatGPT model, referred to as "o1," has raised numerous questions about its intelligence and capabilities. Some say it's as smart as a "dumb PhD student," but how true is this claim? In this article, we'll explore o1's performance through various tests, particularly its ability to solve chess puzzles, count letters, solve a Rubik's cube, create animations, and much more.

Chess Puzzle Test

When asked to solve a chess puzzle, the previous model (referred to as "40") initially suggested an illegal move: moving a rook to an invalid square. This highlighted its shortcomings in analyzing chess positions. The new model, o1, responded by moving the rook legally, stating that no matter what black does next, it results in checkmate. While this was an improvement, it still didn't demonstrate deep reasoning. The process took longer and was costlier, suggesting a more complex chain of thought than its predecessor. However, it's essential to note that this technique is not new, and anyone could adopt this method.

Counting Letters

Another area where the old model struggled was counting letters. It mistakenly counted the letters in the word "strawberries" to be only two, misunderstanding the concept of tokens versus letters. The o1 model showed promise by efficiently performing the task, indicating a potential leap towards improved intelligence. However, it’s noted that if the right prompt is given to the older model, it can achieve similar results.

Rubik’s Cube Challenge

To verify o1's capabilities further, a Rubik's cube task was presented. The old model failed, further scrambling the cube instead of solving it. The new model at first glance showed some improvement, but results remained inconclusive.

Speed and Efficiency

Testing efficiency, o1 was asked to write a paragraph of exactly 74 words. While the old model took approximately one minute to complete this task, o1 did it in just 10 seconds. However, there remains skepticism about the legitimacy of the timing, as o1's efficiency could stem from using background code interpreters, making it hard to discern its independent abilities.

Blender Animations and Gameplay

In the realm of coding, o1 managed to generate a basic animation in Blender more proficiently than model 40, which required step-by-step guidance. However, they both hit the same barriers during more complex tasks. In terms of game development, o1 produced a game in one prompt, while 40 needed two to three prompts. This efficiency stood out, but there’s still uncertainty regarding the extent of its improvements.

Conclusion

Overall, while o1 demonstrates enhancements over model 40, particularly in efficiency and complexity of tasks, it remains uncertain whether it is fundamentally smarter or just adept at handling certain prompts better. There are rumors of advanced reasoning techniques hidden within, leading to questions about the future applications of this new model. Ultimately, it appears that o1 might be more of an evolution rather than a revolutionary leap forward in AI technology.

Keyword

• ChatGPT
• o1 Model
• Chess Puzzle
• Rubik's Cube
• Letter Counting
• Blender Animations
• Game Development
• AI Performance
• Chain of Thought

FAQ

Q: What is the key improvement of the o1 model over its predecessor?
A: The o1 model shows improvements in efficiency, handling complex tasks, and generating code, but it's uncertain whether it represents a fundamental leap in intelligence.

Q: How did the o1 model perform in chess puzzles?
A: The o1 model made a legal chess move and aimed for checkmate, a significant improvement from the illegal move suggestion by the old model.

Q: Can the o1 model count letters accurately?
A: Yes, the o1 model performed better in counting letters, indicating a potential improvement over the previous model’s limitations.

Q: How does the o1 model handle animation and game creation?
A: The o1 model was able to produce animations and games more efficiently than model 40, often completing tasks in fewer prompts.

Q: Is the o1 model significantly smarter than the previous version?
A: While there are demonstrable improvements in some areas, it remains debatable if these improvements signify an overall increase in intelligence or just better handling of specific tasks.