OpenAI has officially rolled out GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini across its ChatGPT platform, introducing faster processing, sharper reasoning skills, and enhanced coding performance.
The update is available to Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers, while the mini version is also accessible to free-tier users.
Announced on X (formerly Twitter), the launch follows the model's earlier debut via OpenAI’s developer API in April 2024. With this release, GPT-4.0 mini has now been retired, making way for a more efficient user experience.
OpenAI spokesperson Shaokyi Amdo noted that GPT-4.1 brings noticeable improvements in software development tasks such as faster code writing and more accurate debugging. The model also excels in following instructions more closely and performs better across complex reasoning tasks compared to GPT-4o.
Despite the excitement surrounding the update, GPT-4.1’s release wasn't without controversy. Critics pointed out the absence of a comprehensive safety report, a detail that previously accompanied major OpenAI model launches. In response, OpenAI clarified that GPT-4.1 is not classified as a “frontier model”, and, therefore, does not require the same level of transparency.
OpenAI’s Head of Safety Systems, Johannes Heidecke, explained that GPT-4.1 does not introduce new modalities or exceed the intelligence of previous models like o3, implying a lower risk profile.
To address concerns, OpenAI also introduced a Safety Evaluations Hub—a new initiative aimed at making internal safety assessments more transparent and publicly accessible.
The launch comes amid increasing competition in the AI space. On the same day, Google expanded its Gemini chatbot by adding GitHub integration, directly targeting developers. Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Windsurf, a popular AI coding platform, for $3 billion—a move that could further bolster its developer-focused offerings.
