Language model family · Fast-moving · Beginner

GPT (OpenAI)

Also known as: Generative Pre-trained Transformer

OpenAI's line of general-purpose generative transformers, the family that brought conversational AI to mainstream use.

What GPT (OpenAI) is

GPT models are decoder-only transformers trained on large text corpora and post-trained for instruction following. Later members add vision, audio and tool use, and OpenAI also ships reasoning-focused variants alongside general chat models.

How it works

Access is through a hosted API and consumer products, billed per token, with options for structured output, function calling and retrieval. Version numbers, context limits and pricing change frequently.

Why it matters

The GPT line set the expectations most people have for what an assistant should do, and remains a default choice for general-purpose work.

Common uses

→General assistants
→Coding and analysis
→Structured extraction
→Agent backends

Strengths

✓Broad general capability
✓Mature tooling and documentation

Watch for

✓Closed weights
✓Per-token cost at scale
✓Behaviour changes across versions

Continue exploring

OpenAI (2)Large Language Model Reasoning Model AI API