OpenAI has announced a significant update to its ChatGPT platform, introducing an enhanced "chain of thought" feature that provides users with a more detailed understanding of the AI model's reasoning process. This move comes in response to pressure from rival Chinese AI company DeepSeek, which has been gaining traction with its own "reasoning" model, R1.

The updated feature, available to both free and paid users of ChatGPT, will display a more comprehensive "chain of thought" that showcases the model's step-by-step reasoning process. This change aims to increase transparency and user trust in the AI-powered chatbot platform. According to an OpenAI spokesperson, the update is designed to make it easier for users to understand how the model thinks, providing more clarity and confidence in its responses.

Reasoning models like o3-mini, which is used in ChatGPT, thoroughly fact-check themselves before providing results, helping to avoid common pitfalls that can trip up other models. However, this process takes slightly longer, typically seconds to minutes longer. OpenAI's decision to update its "chain of thought" feature is seen as a response to DeepSeek's R1 model, which reveals its full thought process, a approach preferred by many AI researchers.

Previously, OpenAI had opted not to show the full reasoning steps for o3-mini and its predecessors, o1 and o1-mini, citing competitive reasons. Instead, users only saw summaries of the reasoning steps, which were sometimes erroneous. The company has now found a balance, allowing o3-mini to "think freely" and then organize its "thoughts" into more detailed summaries.

The updated feature includes an additional post-processing step, where the model reviews the raw chain of thought, removes any unsafe content, and simplifies complex ideas. This step also enables non-English users to receive the chain of thought in their native language, creating a more accessible and friendly experience.

In a Reddit AMA last week, OpenAI's chief product officer, Kevin Weil, hinted at the upcoming change, stating that the company was working on showing more of the model's thought process. Weil acknowledged the need to balance transparency with competitive concerns, but emphasized the importance of providing power users with a more detailed understanding of the AI model's reasoning.

The implications of this update are significant, as it sets a new standard for transparency in AI-powered chatbot platforms. By providing users with a more detailed understanding of the model's reasoning process, OpenAI aims to increase trust and confidence in its platform. This move is likely to put pressure on other AI companies to follow suit, leading to a more transparent and accountable AI industry.

As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the importance of transparency and accountability will only continue to grow. OpenAI's decision to update its "chain of thought" feature is a significant step in the right direction, and its impact will be closely watched by the tech community.