OpenAI Prepares to Launch New AI Models Including GPT-4.1, But Delays Possible

OpenAI is reportedly getting ready to release several new AI models, including GPT-4.1, though capacity issues may delay their launch schedule, according to recent reports.

Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI. Source: WikiCommons

Multiple OpenAI New AI Models New in the Pipeline

On the 11th, The Verge reported, citing unnamed sources, that OpenAI is planning to release a new model that includes GPT-4.1. This model appears to be an improved version of the GPT-4o multimodal model, which was introduced last year as the company's flagship offering capable of processing audio, vision, and text inputs in real time.

According to the report, the company is expected to soon release not only GPT-4.1 but also smaller versions called GPT-4.1 mini and nano, expanding their product lineup to serve different use cases and computational requirements.

Evidence in Code

Supporting these claims, AI engineer Tiber Blaho discovered references to several unreleased models hidden in the code of the new ChatGPT web version on the same day. Blaho found mentions of "o4 mini," "o4 mini high," and "o3" models, suggesting that these products are in advanced stages of development and likely to be released in the near future.

Industry observers believe that unless OpenAI changes its release plans, the o3 and o4 mini models could be revealed as soon as next week.

Capacity Constraints and Service Issues

Despite the excitement surrounding these new models, there are indications that OpenAI is struggling with capacity issues that could affect both the launch timeline and service quality. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has been transparent about these challenges on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

"Subscribers should expect delays in the launch of new models and possible slowdowns in service due to various issues," Altman stated earlier this month, signaling potential problems ahead.

The CEO also revealed that "the request rate was temporarily limited last month due to the image generation function" and acknowledged that the company's GPU infrastructure was "overloaded" — a candid admission about the computational demands of operating cutting-edge AI services at scale.

Uncertain Timeline for Announcements

While Altman has announced that new features will be added to the platform, it remains unclear whether his announcements are specifically related to the o3 and o4 mini models discovered in the code.

The capacity constraints mentioned by Altman could significantly impact the company's ability to roll out these new models on their intended schedule. As AI models become increasingly sophisticated and resource-intensive, the challenge of providing reliable service while continuing to innovate has become a balancing act for AI companies like OpenAI.

Industry Implications

The development of these new models comes at a time when competition in the AI space is intensifying, with rivals like Anthropic, Google, and Meta all working on their own advanced AI systems. OpenAI's ability to manage its growth while maintaining service quality could be crucial to maintaining its leadership position.

For users of OpenAI's services, the potential release of GPT-4.1 and its variants represents both an opportunity to access more capable AI tools and a reminder of the infrastructural challenges that accompany rapid technological advancement.

As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with artificial intelligence, the company's struggle with capacity issues highlights the significant computational resources required to train and run increasingly sophisticated AI models at scale.