OpenAI Spring Updates Event: How to Watch, When It Starts, and What to Anticipate

Today is the Day!

OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman recently announced significant updates to the renowned ChatGPT and its underlying GPT-4 large language model (LLM).

When and Where

The Spring Update event kicks off on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern Time, and will be livestreamed on and its YouTube channel. Over 5,000 viewers are already anticipating the event. Note that the YouTube stream will begin at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET.

What to Expect from OpenAI's Spring Update

While there has been speculation—such as a potential search engine to rival Google—Altman clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the announcement will not include GPT-5 or a search engine. Instead, he hinted at exciting new developments: "We've been hard at work on some new stuff we think people will love! Feels like magic to me." OpenAI president Greg Brockman echoed this sentiment, promising a “live demo of some new work.”

Speculation on New Features

Recent activity from OpenAI employees on X suggests the introduction of a conversational audio/voice assistant, similar to the character Samantha in the 2006 sci-fi film Her. Altman “Liked” a post from Spencer Schiff indicating he was rewatching Her in preparation for the event.

Multiple OpenAI researchers have expressed excitement for their upcoming presentations, indicating that something remarkable may be unveiled. Among those sharing enthusiasm are Aidan Clark, Mo Bavarian, and Steven Heidel, among others.

Altman also engaged with the public on Reddit, discussing OpenAI's "Model Spec," which outlines desired behaviors for its AI products. One user inquired about the potential for free access to ChatGPT-4 and DALL-E, to which Altman seemingly implied there may be a chance.

Adding to the speculation, user @ananayarora noticed webRTC servers in OpenAI's source code, suggesting possible phone capabilities within ChatGPT. Furthermore, X user @testingcatalog reported recent updates to the ChatGPT iOS app, indicating enhancements in the conversational interface.

Existing Voice Features

Since December 2023, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been equipped with a voice interface on iOS and Android, allowing for voice interactions with users. The “Read Aloud” feature, introduced in March 2024, enables ChatGPT to read responses aloud using AI-generated voices.

OpenAI showcased voice cloning technology that can replicate a speaker’s voice using just a 15-second recording. However, this technology is still not publicly released, reflecting OpenAI's commitment to responsible usage.

A new audio conversational assistant is expected to enhance these features, potentially allowing for a more natural dialogue without interruptions.

Future Developments

Additionally, user @alwaysaq00 discovered a reference to a new model, dubbed GPT-4 Omni (or GPT-4o), sparking curiosity about its implications.

Whatever OpenAI reveals today promises to generate excitement and debate within the AI and tech communities. Will it meet the high expectations, even without GPT-5?

Join us at 10 AM ET / 1 PM PT for live coverage of the event and stay connected for breaking updates!