tl;dr
OpenAI plans to phase out its current model naming system, replacing numerical GPT versions with a unified identity under the upcoming GPT-5 release. This change aims to simplify user experience and reduce confusion about model capabilities. GPT-5 will consolidate various model versions and interfac...
OpenAI is set to retire its confusing numerical model names like GPT-4 and Codex variants, unifying them under a single identity: GPT-5. This move aims to simplify the user experience and shift the focus from version numbers to capability-based access. Instead of juggling multiple versions, users will access features seamlessly without switching models.
The upcoming GPT-5 release will consolidate various model versions and interfaces, integrating tools like Codex, Operator, and memory systems into one framework. This unified architecture supports code generation, execution, and validation within cloud sandboxes, emphasizing agent behavior over static model inference.
OpenAI’s Vice President of Research, Jerry Tworek, explained that GPT-5 is designed to improve all current capabilities while reducing the need for model switching. The transition also reflects practical challenges; for example, codex-1 has been tailored for ChatGPT’s environment and isn’t ideal for broad API use in its current form. OpenAI is working on standardizing these agents for more flexible deployment.
This renaming initiative coincides with OpenAI expanding integration across development ecosystems, including future support for multiple Git providers, project management systems, and communication tools. Codex agents now operate in isolated containers capable of handling tasks lasting up to an hour, enhancing their practical utility.
The traditional numerical naming, such as GPT-3, GPT-3.5, or GPT-4o, no longer reflects how users engage with AI capabilities, especially as models perform complex multi-step tasks asynchronously. Instead, product surfaces will be identified by function—for instance, Codex for developer agents or Operator for local system tasks.
OpenAI also plans to introduce more flexible pricing and usage tiers, including consumption-based plans beyond API integrations. While no exact timeline for GPT-5’s release or the full phase-out of existing model names has been announced, users can expect a streamlined experience with enhanced performance as the new identity rolls out.
Overall, OpenAI’s shift toward a unified, function-based model system promises to reduce confusion, improve developer workflows, and reflect the evolving nature of AI capabilities in real-world applications.