OpenAI Replaces Assistants API with Responses API
OpenAI has introduced the Responses API, a new interface for developers building AI agents capable of tasks such as web browsing, internal document analysis, and software tool interaction. This API replaces the now-deprecated Assistants API, which will be fully phased out in the first half of 2026.
The shift signals OpenAI’s broader move toward an agent-first architecture, enabling more autonomous and context-aware workflows for enterprise and consumer applications.
Specialized AI Agents Priced as High as $20,000/Month
According to a report from The Information, OpenAI is preparing a suite of premium AI agents targeting enterprise customers. Offerings include:
- A sales lead filtering agent
- A development agent priced at $10,000/month
- A research agent capable of PhD-level tasks at $20,000/month
- A productivity agent for high-income knowledge workers at $2,000/month
These price points reflect the company’s efforts to monetize its platform after reporting significant operating losses, estimated at $5 billion in the previous fiscal year.
ChatGPT macOS App Now Supports Direct Code Editing
OpenAI’s ChatGPT app for macOS now allows users to edit code directly in integrated environments such as Xcode, VS Code, and JetBrains. This feature is currently limited to Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers. Support for Enterprise and Education tiers is expected in the coming months.
ChatGPT Weekly User Count Reaches 400 Million
A recent report from a16z revealed that ChatGPT’s weekly active users increased from 200 million in August 2024 to over 400 million by February 2025. This growth has been attributed to the launch of GPT-4o, a faster and more multimodal version of OpenAI’s flagship model.
OpenAI Cancels o3 Model in Favor of GPT-5
OpenAI has scrapped the planned release of its “o3” model. The underlying advancements will instead be integrated into a unified GPT-5 model, intended to streamline development and deployment across ChatGPT and API integrations.
GPT-4o Reduces Prompt Energy Usage by Nearly 90 Percent
New research from Epoch AI indicates that GPT-4o requires significantly less energy per prompt than its predecessors—approximately 0.3 watt-hours per request. While this figure excludes multimodal inputs, it represents a major step forward in energy efficiency.
o3-Mini Update Introduces Greater Transparency
An update to the o3-mini model now offers users better insight into the AI’s reasoning process. This change allows for clearer breakdowns of how responses are generated, which may improve trust and understanding in both casual and technical use cases.
ChatGPT Adds Web Search Without Login
Web search via ChatGPT is now available to users who are not logged in. This capability is currently limited to the browser version of ChatGPT and is not yet available through mobile apps.
Deep Research Agent Released
OpenAI has rolled out a Deep Research Agent designed for complex analytical tasks. It is aimed at users in academia, market research, and policy analysis who need more than surface-level summaries and require verifiable, multi-source output.
Additional Product and User Updates
Operator Agent in Limited Preview
OpenAI is currently testing an Operator Agent, a tool that can complete browser-based workflows. Early access appears tied to users subscribed to a newly introduced $200/month Pro plan, according to code leaks and user reports.
Mobile User Base Skews Young and Male
Appfigures data indicates that approximately 85 percent of ChatGPT mobile users are male, with the majority under the age of 25. The next-largest age bracket is 50–64, suggesting a bimodal adoption curve.
Task Scheduling Feature Added
ChatGPT now includes a task scheduling feature that supports recurring reminders and calendar integration. This update is being rolled out to users on Plus, Team, and Pro tiers, with enterprise deployment expected later.
Trait-Based Customization in Testing
A personality trait system is currently being tested, allowing users to configure ChatGPT’s tone and behavior (e.g., “formal,” “chatty,” or “youthful”). This functionality remains limited to select users during the initial rollout.
Policy and Regulatory Developments
Operator Data May Be Retained Up to 90 Days
OpenAI has disclosed that data processed by the Operator tool may be stored for up to 90 days, exceeding the 30-day retention window currently applied to standard ChatGPT interactions.
ChatGPT Gov Released for U.S. Federal Agencies
A new version of ChatGPT, branded ChatGPT Gov, has been released to meet compliance standards required by U.S. government institutions. The product mirrors ChatGPT Enterprise but includes additional data governance features.
Teen ChatGPT Usage for Homework Has Doubled
According to a survey conducted by Pew Research, 26 percent of U.S. teens now use ChatGPT for schoolwork—up from 13 percent two years ago. While most teens consider it a useful tool for research, concerns remain about misinformation and over-reliance.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Persuasion Research Conducted via Reddit
OpenAI has conducted persuasion-related experiments using the r/ChangeMyView subreddit. The objective is to measure the model’s ability to influence opinions in comparison to human participants, raising questions around AI’s role in argumentation and public discourse.
Legal Risks: Libel and Harmful Instructions
Incidents involving ChatGPT generating harmful or false outputs have drawn legal scrutiny. In one case, an Australian mayor considered legal action after the model falsely claimed he had been imprisoned. Separately, ChatGPT was linked to instructions for criminal activities shared on Discord, prompting moderation challenges.
Updated Data Privacy Tools Available
OpenAI has updated its privacy request form, allowing users in eligible jurisdictions to submit requests to delete data, opt out of training, or restrict data processing. These changes aim to increase transparency and comply with international data protection standards.
Sources : ( Techcrunch )
