GPT-5 is speeding up scientific research, but still can't be trusted to work alone, OpenAI warns

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• GPT-5 supports researchers across disciplines, a study found. 
• The model doesn't rival human researchers, however. 
• The findings don't indicate AGI is coming soon. 

OpenAI's recently released model, GPT-5 is showing promise in advancing scientific discovery. While user reactions to the new model in ChatGPT were less than stellar, it appears to be making more headway as a research assistant. 

In a new paper published Thursday, OpenAI detailed the ways GPT-5 "accelerated" research across a variety of case studies -- albeit with some limitations. 

"Across these early studies, GPT-5 appears able to shorten parts of the research workflow when used by experts," the paper said. "It does not run projects or solve scientific problems autonomously, but it can expand the surface area of exploration and help ...