The AI race just hit a new gear. After OpenAI’s official launch of GPT-5, tech visionary Elon Musk issued a blunt warning to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella:
“OpenAI will eat Microsoft alive.”
That’s not a small claim — especially considering Microsoft is a major investor in OpenAI. But according to Musk, GPT-5 represents a leap so significant that it could shift the balance of power in the AI industry.
So, what exactly is GPT-5? Is it really that powerful? Is it free to use? And how can you access it?
Let’s break down everything you need to know.
🔎 What Is GPT-5?
GPT-5 is the latest large language model released by OpenAI, succeeding GPT-4 and the GPT-4 Turbo model that powers current versions of ChatGPT. It’s trained on a larger dataset, includes more multimodal capabilities (text, image, and possibly video), and is expected to be significantly more intelligent, faster, and more aligned with human reasoning.
In simple terms: GPT-5 is designed to think more like a human, understand nuance and context better than any of its predecessors, and complete complex tasks with near-expert performance.
Musk’s warning seems to stem from the belief that GPT-5 takes OpenAI closer to achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) — a form of AI that can perform any intellectual task a human can.
🚨 Why Did Elon Musk Warn Microsoft?
Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left the board in 2018. Since then, he’s been vocal about the potential dangers of AI and the increasing corporatization of OpenAI, especially with Microsoft’s involvement.
Musk has also launched his own AI company, xAI, and is reportedly working on models to compete with GPT. His warning — “OpenAI will eat Microsoft alive” — wasn’t just about performance. It was likely a jab at Microsoft’s heavy dependency on OpenAI for innovation.
Here’s the irony: Microsoft has invested billions into OpenAI and integrated its models into everything from Bing to Microsoft 365 Copilot. But as OpenAI gains power, Microsoft could become more dependent on a company it doesn’t fully control.
🆓 Is GPT-5 Free?
As of now, GPT-5 is not available for free to the general public in its full form.
Here’s the current structure:
- Free ChatGPT users still get GPT-3.5
- ChatGPT Plus users ($20/month) get access to GPT-4 Turbo (not yet confirmed if it includes full GPT-5 architecture)
- Full GPT-5 capabilities may be limited to enterprise, API partners, or rolled into ChatGPT Team and Pro plans
In other words: you’ll need to pay to use GPT-5 — at least for now.
🆕 What’s New in GPT-5?
Here are the key upgrades GPT-5 brings:
✅ Massively improved reasoning — GPT-5 is better at math, logic, and decision-making tasks
✅ Greater memory — Can remember past conversations and learn user preferences
✅ Better coding — Can write, debug, and explain complex code faster than GPT-4
✅ Multimodal expansion — Supports image inputs, with potential for audio and video
✅ Faster response times — Lower latency, smoother chats
✅ Improved safety and alignment — Less hallucination, more accurate responses
Whether you’re a developer, business owner, researcher, or student — GPT-5 opens up a whole new level of productivity.
💡 How to Access GPT-5?
You can try GPT-5 through:
- ChatGPT Plus – $20/month, available at chat.openai.com
- ChatGPT Team or Enterprise – for businesses and teams
- OpenAI API – for developers via OpenAI’s platform (paid usage)
- Microsoft Copilot apps – likely using GPT-4 Turbo with updates coming
To confirm you’re using the latest version:
- Open ChatGPT
- Go to settings → “About” → Check the model (GPT-4 Turbo is the latest public-facing version, possibly based on GPT-5)
🧠 Final Thoughts: Will OpenAI Surpass Microsoft?
Elon Musk’s warning may sound dramatic, but it highlights a real shift in power. While Microsoft backed OpenAI to lead in AI innovation, it may have inadvertently created a giant it can’t control.
GPT-5 is fast, smart, and increasingly independent — both technically and strategically. With each model, OpenAI is not just providing tools; it’s reshaping industries.
Whether Musk is right remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: GPT-5 is the most advanced AI available to the public today, and it’s only the beginning.