OpenAI recently launched the o1 model, a powerful AI designed for solving complex problems in math, coding, and scientific reasoning. Along with it came o1-mini, a smaller, cheaper, and faster version focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) tasks, especially coding.
What is OpenAI o1-mini?
The o1-mini model delivers nearly the same powerful reasoning abilities as the full o1 model but at a much lower cost — approximately 80% cheaper — and works 3 to 5 times faster. It is ideal for users and developers who need efficient logical reasoning without the need for broad general knowledge.
How to Use OpenAI o1-mini for Free
- On desktop, open ChatGPT, start a chat, click on the model picker dropdown, choose ChatGPT Auto, and then select o1-mini in the “Alpha Models” list. The interface will show “ChatGPT Alpha” to indicate it’s active.
- On the mobile app, long-press any ChatGPT response, tap “Change model,” then select Alpha [gpt-4o] to use o1-mini.
Users have a limit of 50 messages per week with o1-mini. The model currently only supports text inputs — no images or web browsing yet.
What Can o1-mini Do?
- Excels at complex math and coding problems.
- Offers fast, cost-effective reasoning suitable for academic and developer use.
- Trained to think through problems carefully, refining answers like a human would.
What o1-mini Can’t Do?
- It can’t browse the internet or access new information.
- It doesn’t support image uploads or multimodal data.
- It has limited knowledge outside STEM fields.
Why Use o1-mini?
o1-mini brings advanced reasoning power to users without heavy computational costs. It’s perfect for students, coders, researchers, and developers who need reliable logical problem-solving.