OpenAI is reportedly gearing up to launch its newest artificial intelligence model, currently codenamed “Orion,” in December.
This model is expected to be a significant advancement for the company as it aims to solidify its position at the forefront of AI technology and justify its recent $157 billion valuation, reported The Verge.
The release of Orion will reportedly follow an approach different from past rollouts, as the model will be gradually distributed to select partners, including Microsoft engineers, before becoming more widely available through the popular ChatGPT platform.
The gradual release strategy marks a shift for OpenAI, which previously opted for broader launches of its language models. According to The Verge, Microsoft engineers could gain early access to Orion as soon as November, though the name may change prior to the final public rollout. OpenAI has internally named models in the past; for instance, the “o1” series of models, now widely used, was codenamed “Strawberry” during development.
OpenAI, however, has been tight-lipped on the matter, with a spokesperson telling TechCrunch that the report isn’t accurate, but declining to provide further clarification. This noncommittal stance leaves questions about the specifics of Orion’s release timing, functionality, and potential impact on OpenAI's partnerships and user base.
The upcoming launch is particularly high-stakes, as OpenAI’s recent funding rounds raised an impressive $6.6 billion, highlighting the substantial financial expectations placed on the company by investors who anticipate a continued cycle of groundbreaking releases.
This latest release could reinforce OpenAI’s dominant position in the tech world, particularly as competitive pressure builds from other AI powerhouses, including Google DeepMind and Anthropic, all racing to improve generative AI capabilities for enterprise and consumer applications.
As speculation about Orion’s capabilities and timeline continues, the tech world will be watching closely to see how OpenAI navigates this anticipated launch and how Orion may shape the future of AI technology.