OpenAI

OpenAI holds back image generator tool for free users

OpenAI is delaying the release of its new image generation feature for free ChatGPT users, citing unexpectedly high demand. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the postponement in a post on Wednesday, saying the feature’s popularity surpassed expectations, which led to a temporary hold on the wider rollout.

The tool, introduced just a day earlier, allows users to create images directly within ChatGPT using the advanced GPT-4o model. The update quickly went viral, with social media flooded by user-generated visuals — many mimicking the whimsical style of Studio Ghibli — including contributions from Altman himself.

GPT-4o enhances text and image capabilities, generating images in a step-by-step, top-to-bottom process known as an autoregressive approach. Currently, the feature remains exclusive to paid ChatGPT tiers: Plus, Pro, and Team. A timeline for when free users will gain access has yet to be announced.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

OpenAI unveils new image generator in ChatGPT

OpenAI has rolled out an image generator feature within ChatGPT, enabling users to create realistic images with improved accuracy. The new feature, available for all Plus, Pro, Team, and Free users, is powered by GPT-4o, which now offers distortion-free images and more accurate text generation.

OpenAI shared a sample image of a boarding pass, showcasing the advanced capabilities of the new tool.

Previously, image generation was available through DALL-E, but its results often contained errors and were easily identifiable as AI-generated. Now integrated into ChatGPT, the new tool allows users to describe images with specific details such as colours, aspect ratios, and transparent backgrounds.

The update aims to enhance creative freedom while maintaining a higher standard of image quality.

CEO Sam Altman praised the feature as a ‘new high-water mark’ for creative control, although he acknowledged the potential for some users to create offensive content.

OpenAI plans to monitor how users interact with this tool and adjust as needed, especially as the technology moves closer to artificial general intelligence (AGI).

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

OpenAI improves ChatGPT voice to stop unwanted interruptions

OpenAI has rolled out improvements to its ChatGPT voice assistant in an effort to make interactions more natural and less frustrating.

The latest update to Advanced Voice Mode allows users to pause mid-sentence without being cut off—a common issue with AI voice tools that often interrupt users during brief silences or deep breaths.

Free users of ChatGPT now benefit from this smoother conversational experience, while paying subscribers—including those on the Plus, Teams, Edu, Business, and Pro plans—also enjoy a more refined voice assistant.

The AI now speaks with a more engaging and creative tone, delivering answers that are clearer and more direct.

OpenAI’s goal is to create a more personable assistant that feels comfortable to speak with. According to the company, the changes make the AI more enjoyable to use and better equipped for real-time conversation.

These upgrades come as competition in the AI voice market heats up. Startups like Sesame, backed by major investors, are gaining attention with lifelike AI voices, while tech giants like Amazon are preparing to release enhanced voice assistants powered by large language models.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

DeepSeek launches V3 to challenge OpenAI

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has unveiled a major upgrade to its V3 large language model, intensifying the competition with US tech giants like OpenAI and Anthropic.

The new model, DeepSeek-V3-0324, is available via the AI development platform Hugging Face, showcasing significant advancements in reasoning and coding capabilities.

Benchmark tests have highlighted notable improvements in technical performance instead of its predecessor. DeepSeek, which has quickly gained recognition in the AI industry, continues to release competitive models, offering lower operational costs than many Western counterparts.

Following the V3 launch in December, DeepSeek also introduced its R1 model in January, further establishing its presence in the global AI market.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

OpenAI and Google face lawsuits while advocating for AI copyright exceptions

OpenAI and Google have urged the US government to allow AI models to be trained on copyrighted material under fair use.

The companies submitted feedback to the White House’s ‘AI Action Plan,’ arguing that restrictions could slow AI progress and give countries like China a competitive edge. Google stressed the importance of copyright and privacy exceptions, stating that text and data mining provisions are critical for innovation.

Anthropic also responded to the White House’s request but focused more on AI risks to national security and infrastructure rather than copyright concerns.

Meanwhile, OpenAI and Google are facing multiple lawsuits from news organisations and content creators, including Sarah Silverman and George R.R. Martin, who allege their works were used without permission for AI training.

Other companies, including Apple and Nvidia, have also been accused of improperly using copyrighted material, such as YouTube subtitles, to train AI models.

As legal challenges continue, major tech firms remain committed to pushing for regulations that support AI development while navigating the complexities of intellectual property rights.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

OpenAI expands ChatGPT capabilities with Google Drive and Slack integration

OpenAI is preparing to beta test its new feature, ChatGPT Connectors, which will enable businesses to link their Google Drive and Slack accounts to ChatGPT.

Employees can leverage internal company data, including files, presentations, and Slack discussions, to enhance their interactions with the AI chatbot.

The feature will provide answers informed by these internal resources, similar to how ChatGPT currently uses web search to answer general queries.

The initial beta testing will be available to ChatGPT Team subscribers, with plans to extend the functionality to other platforms, such as Microsoft SharePoint and Box.

The move is part of OpenAI’s effort to integrate ChatGPT deeper into business operations, aiming to make it an essential tool for workplace productivity.

While some companies have expressed concerns about sharing sensitive data with AI, ChatGPT Connectors offers reassurances that permissions from Google Drive and Slack will be fully respected and up-to-date.

The ChatGPT Connector model is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which can refine responses based on a company’s internal knowledge. However, the integration has certain limitations.

For example, it cannot analyse images in Google Drive files or access private Slack messages and group chats. Additionally, companies must provide OpenAI with select documents and conversations for the beta test, though OpenAI assures that no data will be directly used for training the AI.

Enterprise AI-powered search tools may see a significant impact from this development, creating challenges for competitors in the industry.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

OpenAI fast-tracks court clash with Elon Musk

Elon Musk and OpenAI have agreed to expedite their legal dispute concerning OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit entity, proposing a trial in December 2025. The development follows a series of legal manoeuvres, including a recent court decision denying Musk’s request to halt the restructuring process.

Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but departed in 2018, initiated legal action last year, alleging that the company’s shift to a for-profit model deviates from its original mission to develop AI for the benefit of humanity.

In response, OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, have refuted these claims, suggesting that Musk’s actions aim to impede a competitor, especially considering his establishment of the rival AI firm, xAI, in 2023.

The outcome of this lawsuit holds significant implications for OpenAI’s financial strategy. The company’s recent $6.6 billion funding round and a prospective $40 billion investment, currently under negotiation with SoftBank Group, are contingent upon its transition to a for-profit structure. Restructuring is essential to attract the capital needed to remain competitive in the evolving AI industry. ​

In February 2025, Musk led an unsolicited $97.4 billion takeover bid for OpenAI, which Altman promptly declined, reinforcing his stance that OpenAI is not for sale. Musk’s bid further intensified the complex relationship between Musk and OpenAI, highlighting the broader debate over the commercialisation of AI and the ethical considerations associated with balancing profit motives against societal benefits.

As the presumed December trial approaches, the tech industry and the public will closely monitor the proceedings, given their potential to influence the future trajectory of AI development and corporate governance within the sector.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

SoftBank invests in AI infrastructure with OpenAI partnership

SoftBank plans to transform a former Sharp LCD factory in Osaka into a large-scale data centre for AI.

The Japanese telecom giant intends to purchase the facility and surrounding land for approximately 100 billion yen ($677 million), with operations set to begin in 2026.

Once operational, the centre will be among Japan‘s largest, boasting a power capacity of 150 megawatts.

The project is part of SoftBank’s collaboration with OpenAI to commercialise AI agent technology in Japan. The data centre will support the training of AI models on client companies’ data, offering customised AI solutions tailored to business needs.

The investment in the venture is expected to be significant, potentially reaching 1 trillion yen ($6.77 billion).

SoftBank’s move highlights its commitment to AI infrastructure as demand for advanced computing power grows. The company and OpenAI have not yet commented on the reported plans.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Dapr integrates AI agent support for developers

Dapr, the open-source microservices runtime introduced by Microsoft in 2019, has added new capabilities to support AI agents, broadening its appeal to developers creating scalable distributed applications.

Initially designed to simplify microservice-based app development, Dapr’s new functionality builds on its existing concept of virtual actors, making it easier to incorporate AI agents into systems.

The newly launched Dapr Agents offer developers a framework to efficiently run AI agents at scale with statefulness, making it ideal for applications involving large language models (LLMs).

However, this update allows seamless integration with popular AI providers, such as AWS Bedrock, OpenAI, and Hugging Face. Developers also benefit from Dapr’s orchestration and resource-efficient model, ensuring agents can spin up quickly when needed and retain state after tasks are completed.

Dapr Agents currently support Python, with plans for .NET and other languages like Java and Go coming soon.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

OpenAI launches responses API for AI agent development

OpenAI has unveiled new tools to help developers and businesses build AI agents, which are automated systems that can independently perform tasks. These tools are part of OpenAI’s new Responses API, allowing enterprises to create custom AI agents that can search the web, navigate websites, and scan company files, similar to OpenAI’s existing Operator product. The company plans to phase out its older Assistants API by 2026, replacing it with the new capabilities.

The Responses API provides developers with access to powerful AI models, such as GPT-4o search and GPT-4o mini search, which are designed for high factual accuracy. OpenAI claims these models can offer more reliable answers than previous versions, with GPT-4o search achieving a 90% accuracy rate. Additionally, the platform includes a file search feature to help companies quickly retrieve information from their databases. The CUA model, which automates tasks like data entry, is also available, allowing developers to automate workflows with more precision.

Despite its promise, OpenAI acknowledges that there are still challenges to address, such as AI hallucinations and occasional errors in task automation. However, the company continues to improve its models, and the introduction of the Agents SDK gives developers the tools they need to build, debug, and optimise AI agents. OpenAI’s goal is to move beyond demos and create impactful tools that will shape the future of AI in enterprise applications.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.