OpenAI Launches o3-mini – A Fast and Affordable AI for STEM and Coding

Highlights

  • OpenAI’s new AI model o3-mini is designed for science, math and coding.
  • It offers a fast and cost-efficient solution for STEM professionals and developers.
  • o3-mini performs 24% faster than o1-mini and includes key features such as function calling, structured outputs, developer messages and adjustable reasoning levels.
  • ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers can access o3-mini with Pro users getting unlimited access.
OpenAI introduces the o3-mini. (Image credit – OpenAI)

OpenAI has officially released its “most cost-efficient model” in the reasoning series – the o3-mini.

First previewed in December 2024, this AI model is designed for science, math and coding, making it a great tool for STEM professionals and developers. Here’s everything we know about the new model.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised the tool in multiple posts on X (formerly Twitter) saying, “o3-mini-high is really good and it’s cool to hear some people say it’s their favorite model ever. [….] with ChatGPT plus, you can select “o3-mini-high”, which thinks harder and gives better answers.”

What is OpenAI’s New Model – o3-mini?

OpenAI says o3-mini offers a faster and more efficient alternative for tech-focused tasks. It performs at the same level as o1 in science, math, and coding but delivers results 24% faster than o1-mini. In testing, o3-mini had an average response time of 7.7 seconds, compared to o1-mini’s 10.16 seconds.

It’s also OpenAI’s first small reasoning model with key developer features including Function calling, Structured Outputs, Developer messages, Search for real-time answers with source links and Adjustable reasoning levels (low, medium, high).

How To Use o3-mini?

ChatGPT Plus, Team and Pro subscribers can access o3-mini through the model picker replacing o1-mini. Pro users get unlimited access to both o3-mini and o3-mini-high (a smarter but slightly slower version). Plus Team users now get 150 messages/day, up from 50 with o1-mini.

Free users can try o3-mini by selecting “Reason” in the message composer or regenerating responses, making it OpenAI’s first reasoning model available to non-paying users.

Additionally, o3-mini is now available through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service.

With its speed, affordability and strong STEM capabilities, the o3-mini is set to be a valuable tool for researchers, developers and students alike.

FAQs

Q1. What is the new AI model o3-mini designed for?

Answer. OpenAI’s o3-mini is designed for science, math, and coding, offering a fast and cost-efficient solution for STEM professionals and developers.

Q2. How does the performance of o3-mini compare to o1-mini?

Answer. o3-mini performs 24% faster than o1-mini and includes key features such as function calling, structured outputs, developer messages, and adjustable reasoning levels.

Q3. Who can access o3-mini and how?

Answer. ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers can access o3-mini, with Pro users getting unlimited access. Free users can try it by selecting “Reason,” and it is also available through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service.

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