ChatGPT Evolution: Month-by-Month Updates (2023–2025)

From the launch of GPT-4 to the announcement of GPT-5, from mobile app releases to strategic partnerships with Apple, Microsoft, and Google, ChatGPT has transformed from a text-only chatbot into a multi-modal AI powerhouse used by millions daily.
This detailed month-by-month breakdown covers every major feature, model release, and business milestone from 2023 through 2025 — perfect for anyone tracking the AI revolution.

2025

January

• o3-mini reasoning model released.

• Operator AI agent for autonomous tasks.

• ChatGPT Gov launched for U.S. agencies.

• Trait customization (“Chatty,” “Gen Z”) tested.

• Teen schoolwork usage doubled since 2023.

• Phone-number sign-up tests and reminders feature.

February

• Standalone o3 canceled in favor of GPT-5.

• New deep research agent.

• o3-mini reasoning transparency improved.

• Web search without login expanded.

March

• Planned “open” model release.

• Image policy updated to allow public figures & symbols.

• Adopted Anthropic’s MCP standard.

• Revenue forecast tripled to $12.7B.

• Upgraded voice assistant and image tools.

April

• Fixed sycophancy issue and safety bugs.

• Launched o3 and o4-mini reasoning models.

• Shopping recommendations in search.

• Free ChatGPT Plus for U.S./Canada students.

May

• GPT-4.1, 4.1 mini, and Codex coding agent released.

• Deep research integrated with GitHub.

• Data residency launched in Asia.

• Announced AI personality fixes.

June

• Began using Google AI chips.

• o3-pro reasoning model released.

• Voice mode upgraded.

• Cloud connectors and meeting recording added.

• MIT study flagged critical thinking concerns.

July

• Study Mode and “Study Together” tested.

• 2.5B daily prompts milestone.

• ChatGPT Agent launched for complex workflows.

• Open-model release delayed.

• AI browser project revealed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2024

January

• “@” GPT invocation in chats.

• GPT Store launched for premium tiers.

• ChatGPT Team plan for small groups.

• Arizona State University partnership.

• Custom traits like “Chatty” and “Encouraging.”

• GPT-3.5 API price cuts; fixed “lazy” GPT-4.

February

• Memory and Temporary Chat modes.

• Deep research agent released.

• Web search without login (limited).

• Dublin City Council tourism project.

March

• Read Aloud feature added.

• NYT–OpenAI lawsuit escalation.

• Report revealed high AI energy usage.

• GPT Store spam and copyright risks.

April

• Financial Times content deal.

• U.S. newspapers sued OpenAI & Microsoft.

• GPT-4 Turbo upgrade.

• Tokyo office with Japanese-optimized GPT-4.

• Account-free ChatGPT with restrictions.

May

• GPT-4o “omni” model with voice & vision.

• Paused “Sky” voice after Scarlett Johansson likeness concerns.

• PwC deal for 100K enterprise seats.

• Training of GPT-4 successor announced.

• Google Drive & OneDrive file integration.

• Reddit content partnership.

June

• CriticGPT launched to catch code errors.

• TIME content partnership.

• Mac app released.

• Apple Siri & app integration announced.

• Advanced Voice Mode rollout delayed.

July

• Alpha release of Advanced Voice Mode.

• SearchGPT prototype launched.

• GPT-4o mini replaced GPT-3.5 Turbo.

• Los Alamos bioscience partnership.

August

• Condé Nast content deal.

• Banned Iranian election influence accounts.

• Mobile app revenue hit $28M record.

• GPT-4o quirks revealed in testing.

September

• Advanced Voice Mode expansion.

• Volkswagen rolled out ChatGPT assistant in U.S. vehicles.

• 1M+ paid business/Edu users reached.

• o1 “Strawberry” reasoning model launched.

2023

January

• Early “ChatGPT Professional” paid tier tested with higher usage limits.

February

• Microsoft integrated ChatGPT into Bing search.

• ChatGPT Plus launched at $20/month for priority access.

March

• GPT-4 unveiled with text + image understanding.

• Plugin support added for web browsing and third-party tools.

• Italy’s regulator temporarily banned ChatGPT over GDPR concerns.

• AI experts urged a pause on advanced AI training.

April

• $300M share sale valued OpenAI around $27–29B.

• Preview of ChatGPT Business for enterprises.

May

• iOS app released in the U.S., expanding rapidly worldwide.

• U.S. court required disclosure of AI-generated legal filings.

• Security teams flagged malware scams using “ChatGPT” branding.

June

• Browse with Bing added for Plus users.

• Mercedes tested in-car ChatGPT voice assistant.

• iPad app gained Siri and Shortcuts support.

July

• Android app launched.

• Custom Instructions feature introduced.

• FTC reportedly opened an inquiry into OpenAI.

August

• ChatGPT Enterprise released.

• Fine-tuning enabled for GPT-3.5 Turbo.

• OpenAI acquired Global Illumination.

• Custom Instructions expanded to free users.

• Pew study: only 18% of U.S. adults had tried ChatGPT.

November

• 1-year anniversary of ChatGPT.

• Mobile installs passed 110M.

• GPT Store launch delayed to 2024.

• Researchers demonstrated training-data leakage prompts.

December

• New York Times sued OpenAI & Microsoft for copyright infringement.

• Plus subscriptions reopened after GPU shortages.

• Axel Springer licensing deal brought real-time news into ChatGPT.

• Studies showed workplace impacts; UK judges permitted to use AI.

Why It Matters

This three-year timeline shows ChatGPT’s transformation from a novelty chatbot into a global AI platform powering education, business automation, creative work, and research. With billions of daily interactions, partnerships across industries, and continuous model innovation, ChatGPT has set the pace for the generative AI era — and 2026 promises even bigger breakthroughs.