Sam Altman’s 2025 Wishlist for OpenAI: Game-Changing AI Updates You Can’t Miss!

In a recent tweet on X.com, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared a compelling list of features and improvements that users most want from the company in 2025. While ChatGPT enhancements dominate the conversation, the wishlist extends beyond the popular AI tool, offering a glimpse into OpenAI’s broader ambitions.

In response to the question, “What would you like OpenAI to build or fix in 2025?”, Altman outlined recurring themes from user feedback. The wishlist includes Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) agents, improved versions of existing models, better memory, extended context capabilities, a “grown-up mode,” deep research functionalities, a refined Sora video generator, and enhanced personalization.

AGI and the Road Ahead

At the top of Altman’s list is AGI—Artificial General Intelligence. This represents the next stage in AI evolution, characterized by human-equivalent or even superior intelligence. While AGI offers immense opportunities, it also raises concerns about ethical and safety implications.

Despite its prime spot on the wishlist, experts like Dr. Ben Goertzel, who coined the term AGI, predict it may take longer to achieve. Goertzel has suggested that 2029 is a more realistic timeline, though advancements from companies like OpenAI in 2025 may bring us closer to this transformative milestone.

AI Agents and the Anticipation of Operator

The second item on the wishlist is AI agents—automated bots designed to perform tasks as personal assistants. These could handle everyday activities like rescheduling appointments or managing grocery lists.

Many had anticipated the release of OpenAI’s highly awaited Operator Agent during the “12 Days of OpenAI” event, but it did not materialize. Given its long delay since the rumored January release, expectations remain high for its eventual debut.

Enhancements for ChatGPT

Much of Altman’s wishlist focuses on improving ChatGPT. Desired upgrades include:

• Better memory: For retaining conversations and offering a more personalized experience.
• Extended context length: To handle larger chunks of information seamlessly.
• “Grown-up mode”: Speculated to involve fewer restrictions, though its implementation may spark debates about safety and guardrails.
• Deep research features: For more comprehensive and accurate information retrieval.
• 4.0 model improvements: While ChatGPT’s evolution has been remarkable, the performance gap between the 3.0 and 4.0 versions was more noticeable than between recent iterations.

These changes reflect a growing demand for practical, user-centric updates rather than advanced capabilities like solving complex equations or generating intricate code.

Sora: The Need for a Competitive Edge

Sora, OpenAI’s AI video generator released during the “12 Days of OpenAI,” received praise but faces stiff competition. With tools like Pika offering features Sora lacks, users are calling for enhancements that make it more versatile and practical. For instance, Sora could evolve to assist with everyday content creation, appealing to users beyond filmmaking enthusiasts.

Challenges and Opportunities

The wishlist also highlights the slowdown in advancements for large language models as they reach higher levels of sophistication. Rivals like Google’s Gemini are heavily investing in similar improvements, such as better memory and research features, underscoring the competitive landscape OpenAI faces.

A Hint of Surprises

Altman concluded his tweet with an intriguing statement: “Interestingly, many great updates we have coming were mentioned not at all or very little!” This cryptic remark suggests that OpenAI has surprises in store for 2025, fueling curiosity about innovations beyond the wishlist.

While AGI may remain a longer-term goal, the prospect of a more advanced ChatGPT, practical AI agents, and an improved Sora generator signals an exciting year ahead. OpenAI’s focus on personalization, memory, and usability could redefine how users interact with AI in their daily lives.

2025 looks poised to bring transformative updates—some we expect and others yet to be revealed. Whatever OpenAI has planned, anticipation is already building for the future of AI.