OpenAI enters new era as Sam Altman pushes for faster ChatGPT upgrade

OpenAI has reportedly shifted into “code red” mode as competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) world intensifies. 

According to multiple reports, CEO Sam Altman has urged teams inside OpenAI to accelerate the next major ChatGPT update, signalling that the company is no longer operating with the comfortable lead it once enjoyed. 

The urgency follows Google’s rollout of the Gemini 3 model, which widely impressed the industry and outperformed several existing GPT models in early benchmarks.

Rather than sticking to its original schedule, OpenAI is now weighing a much earlier release. 

Sources suggest the previously planned late-December launch could be pulled forward to as soon as December 9, with some insiders hinting that ChatGPT 5.2 might be ready for release as early as next week. 

Employees reportedly believe the model is already technically complete, leaving timing and strategy as the main issues under consideration.

Altman has described the internal situation as “very serious,” stressing that the company must move faster to regain momentum after Gemini 3’s strong debut. 

As part of the shift, OpenAI has paused several side projects, including digital assistant concepts and early advertising experiments, to focus all available resources on ChatGPT improvements.