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GPT-5 Hype Misses the Mark, Leaving OpenAI with Incremental Gains

OpenAI GPT-5 AI Technology Sam Altman Hype Disappointment Coding
August 15, 2025
Viqus Verdict Logo Viqus Verdict Logo 7
Realistic Returns
Media Hype 6/10
Real Impact 7/10

Article Summary

OpenAI’s GPT-5 release generated significant anticipation, fueled by Sam Altman’s pronouncements and imagery like the Death Star, but the reality fell short of expectations. While benchmarks showed improvements in coding and reduced hallucinations, the advancements were largely considered incremental and did not inspire the widespread awe predicted by many. Key criticisms centered around a perceived lack of nuanced responses and a robotic writing style, leading to comparisons with the now-retired GPT-4o. Despite OpenAI’s claims of a ‘smartest model ever,’ many industry experts, including Gary Marcus and Peter Wildeford, deemed the model underwhelming. The biggest win for OpenAI appears to be in coding, where GPT-5 currently leads in benchmarks, but the overall effect is a measured, financially-focused shift rather than a revolutionary leap.

Key Points

  • GPT-5’s improvements were largely incremental, failing to meet the high expectations set by prior hype and Altman’s pronouncements.
  • Industry experts largely considered the advancements to be underwhelming, with criticisms focusing on the model’s robotic writing style and lack of nuanced responses.
  • Despite OpenAI’s claims of a ‘smartest model ever,’ GPT-5’s primary strength lies in coding, where it currently leads benchmarks and represents a potential revenue driver.

Why It Matters

The GPT-5 launch highlights a critical shift in the AI landscape. While advancements continue, the intense marketing surrounding large language models is increasingly at odds with the actual performance of these systems. This news matters for investors, as it suggests a potential cooling of investment in purely ambitious, ‘headline-grabbing’ AI projects, and for consumers, as it signals that the promise of truly transformative AI is not yet a reality. It’s a crucial reminder that while AI is progressing, the hype surrounding it must be tempered with realistic expectations, particularly when considering the substantial investment required to develop and deploy these technologies. This is important for businesses considering AI adoption to ensure they're focusing on solutions with demonstrable return on investment rather than chasing the latest buzz.

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