Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced on X that the highly anticipated ChatGPT-4.5 update, originally planned for a wide release tomorrow, will now be delayed. Rather than making it available to everyone immediately, OpenAI will start releasing the new version only to a select number of users.
Why the Delay?
Explaining the reason behind the delay, Altman mentioned concerns about server overload. He explained that a sudden, widespread release could force OpenAI to set a very low “rate limit.” A low rate limit means that users would face restrictions on how frequently they could access ChatGPT-4.5.
Altman said, “A low rate limit would mean restricting how much people could use ChatGPT-4.5.” To avoid server issues, the company has opted for a phased rollout, gradually increasing user access instead of opening the service to everyone simultaneously.
Despite the delay, Altman confidently shared, “We think people will love it.”
we are likely going to roll out GPT-4.5 to the plus tier over a few days.
there is no perfect way to do this; we wanted to do it for everyone tomorrow, but it would have meant we had to launch with a very low rate limit.
we think people are gonna use this a lot and love it.
— Sam Altman (@sama) March 4, 2025
New Pricing Structure Proposed
Altman also introduced an unexpected idea regarding changes to ChatGPT Plus’s subscription model. Currently, subscribers pay $20 per month for unlimited access, but Altman has suggested a significant change. Instead of unlimited use, subscribers would receive a set number of tokens each month. Users could then spend these tokens on different products offered by OpenAI, such as Deep Research, ChatGPT o1, Sora, and ChatGPT-4.5.
Explaining the idea, Altman added, “No fixed limits per feature, and you choose what you want; if you run out of credits you can buy more. What do you think? good/bad?”
Mixed Reactions from Users
This proposed change sparked mixed reactions from users on X. While some appreciated the flexibility, many were critical of the proposal. One user commented, “No one wants to micromanage their AI usage like an arcade token system.” Another argued that users might find it inconvenient to constantly think in terms of credits rather than enjoying unrestricted use for a fixed monthly price.
Seeking feedback publicly about significant changes like these through social media is uncommon for a CEO. Altman’s unusual openness about this potential major shift might be connected to his personal circumstances—he recently became a father, and he humorously acknowledged that the demands of caring for a new baby could be influencing his decisions.
Personal Milestones Influencing Decisions?
Altman candidly shared personal news, mentioning his newborn baby’s health struggles. “Turns out I am now more proud of a preemie baby for learning how to eat on his own!” Altman humorously admitted he might be emotionally influenced due to sleep deprivation, stating, “I realize I am getting neurochemically hacked here, but idc, it’s the best.”
Such open discussions about significant product decisions, combined with personal insights, are unusual for CEOs of major tech companies. Altman’s openness suggests a genuine interest in user input, although some speculate whether personal life changes might be influencing these professional choices.
OpenAI Anticipates High Demand
Despite the controversy over the rollout and pricing structure, Altman remains confident about ChatGPT-4.5. He concluded his message by stating, “We think people will use it a lot and love it.” OpenAI clearly expects strong interest in the latest version, reinforcing why they’ve decided on a gradual release to manage demand effectively.
As the tech community awaits more details, users will have to adjust their expectations from immediate widespread availability to a more gradual introduction. The company is likely to closely monitor reactions to both the phased release and the proposed changes in its pricing policy.
