OpenAI temporarily halts ChatGPT Plus registrations to address capacity surge

OpenAI has halted new registrations for the premium version of ChatGPT, ChatGPT Plus, citing capacity constraints. CEO Sam Altman made the announcement, attributing the pause to increased usage after the recent devday event where new APIs were unveiled.

Altman emphasised the decision is to ensure a quality user experience and suggested interested users can still register for notifications when sign-ups reopen within the app.

The surge in ChatGPT Plus usage and subsequent decision to halt signups signifies the remarkable success of OpenAI’s premium offering. While facing capacity challenges, this move reflects the platform’s adaptability and popularity, presenting both a testament to its achievements and a call to address the demands of its growing user base.

During OpenAI’s first developer conference in San Francisco, Altman disclosed that ChatGPT has surpassed 100 million weekly users. The company also introduced GPT-4 Turbo, a more powerful and cost-effective iteration of its flagship text-generating AI model.

Altman shared that over two million developers, including over 92% of Fortune 500 companies, utilise the platform. Additionally, OpenAI unveiled the ‘Assistants API,’ enabling developers to create agent-like experiences within their applications, expanding use cases from data analysis to AI-driven planning.

The Assistants API leverages Code Interpreter, OpenAI’s tool for writing and executing Python code in a secure environment. Initially launched in March for ChatGPT, Code Interpreter supports iterative code execution, allowing assistants created with the API to address coding and mathematical challenges.

Despite increased competition in the AI landscape, including endeavors by major tech companies like Google and Amazon, OpenAI continues to advance its offerings, with ChatGPT remaining a prominent player. Even Elon Musk, initially cautious about AI, has entered the AI space with “Grok,” positioning it as superior to others.