ChatGPT-5 First Take

I spent six hours and a few more while watching Netflix using GPT-5. Not reading about it. Not looking at benchmark charts. Just using it for real work.

The first big thing I noticed is memory. I asked it to make a workshop agenda for a client. Later, after doing other things for hours, I told it, “Make it a half-day.” It remembered the agenda and updated it right away. I didn’t need to paste the old text back in. Older models almost always needed me to resend the whole thing.

The second thing is how it changes plans without starting over. I asked for a three-month AI marketing plan. Then I told it to cut the budget. It kept the same structure and adjusted the details. Older versions would lose track and start fresh, which meant I had to re-explain everything.

It’s also faster at giving detailed answers. I asked for a side-by-side comparison of three AI image-generation platforms. I wanted prices, features, and key differences. It gave me a full, clear breakdown in seconds. Before, speed usually meant less detail.

GPT-5 also adds ideas without me asking. For example, I asked for talking points for a panel on AI governance. It gave me the list, but it also suggested the slide order and wrote an opening joke. Earlier models would have waited for me to ask.

When it doesn’t know something, it just says so. No long disclaimers. No filler. Just a simple, “I don’t have reliable information on that.” That’s a big improvement in directness.

But there’s one thing I don’t like: they removed the older models. Sometimes I want a smaller, lighter model that runs very fast. If I just need a quick answer or a basic draft, speed matters more than depth. Now, I’m tied to the normal pace of GPT-5, which can sometimes feel slower depending on the request. I miss having the choice.

After six hours and some Netflix time, my take is simple: GPT-5 remembers more, changes plans better, works fast without losing detail, and even takes initiative. But it also forces me to work at its speed. For most things, it’s great. For quick jobs, I wish I still had the older models as an option.