ChatGPT has come a long way since its initial release, evolving from a text-based AI to increasingly sophisticated versions. The latest iteration, ChatGPT-4o (the O stands for Omni), has a lot to offer for small businesses.
With its ability to process audio, visuals, and text simultaneously, GPT-4o opens up exciting possibilities for day-to-day tasks, whether it's creating content, analyzing data, or talking to customers in a personalized way.
Imagine having a virtual assistant who can receive context from images, engage in multilingual natural voice conversations, participate in video calls, and more!
In this article, we'll explore the potential of GPT-4o's cutting-edge features and how they could possibly transform daily operations for entrepreneurs, potentially changing everything from client interactions to problem-solving strategies.
Key features of ChatGPT-4o
ChatGPT-4o is a powerful AI tool carefully created to address the needs of businesses in the real world. Now, it offers more than just text generation — it's a multi-faceted assistant that can help you with complex tasks in different ways.
Let's take a closer look at how ChatGPT-4o could be a valuable resource for your business!
1. Performance enhancements
ChatGPT-4o brings significant improvements in speed and cost-efficiency.
The first notable change is that it's twice as fast as its predecessor, GPT-4 Turbo, allowing quicker response times and more fluid interactions. This speed boost can help you get answers and complete tasks more rapidly, saving valuable time in your busy day.
Additionally, the cost of using ChatGPT-4o through the API has been reduced by 50% compared to GPT-4 Turbo. For small businesses watching their budget, this price drop makes advanced AI assistance more accessible than ever.
2. Language support
ChatGPT-4o breaks down language barriers by now supporting over 50 languages across various features, including sign-up, login, and user settings. This multilingual capability opens up new possibilities for global communication and market expansion.
Whether you're looking to connect with international clients, collaborate with overseas partners, or expand your business into new regions, ChatGPT-4o can help bridge language gaps. It can assist with live translations, facilitate multilingual customer service, and help you create content in multiple languages, making your business more accessible to a global audience.
3. Multimodal interaction
ChatGPT-4o is "OpenAI's first natively fully multimodal model," says Prafulla Dhariwal, head of the Omni division at OpenAI. This groundbreaking way of interaction, seamlessly integrating text, audio, image, and video capabilities, means you can communicate with the AI in whatever way is most natural or convenient for you at the moment.
Need to have a quick brainstorming session? Use voice chat.
Want to show a product for analysis? Snap and upload a photo or just show the product to ChatGPT in real time.
This flexibility allows for more intuitive and efficient communication, mimicking human-like interaction much more conveniently than before.
For a small business, this could mean more natural customer interactions, easier documentation of visual information, and the ability to process and respond to various types of data all within one system.
4. Vision mode
The vision mode in ChatGPT-4o is one of the most futuristic-looking improvements we've seen in OpenAI's demos! It gives you access to an AI assistant that can "see" and interpret visual information.
This feature alone has the potential to completely transform the way we interact with AI, unlocking the ability to not only analyze stationary images but also process dynamic video content.
Here are some exciting use cases for vision mode:
- Analyze competitors' products by taking pictures or showing items in real-time video
- Engage in video chats where the AI can interpret facial expressions and body language
- Identify product defects using images or demonstrate issues through video for instant troubleshooting
- Critique design mockups via uploaded images or through real-time sketching on video
- Understand foreign culture better by photographing things or pointing your camera at your surroundings live and getting instant translation and explanation
- Manage inventory and adjust product strategy by analyzing product images
5. Desktop app for Mac
In a move to further integrate AI into everyday life, OpenAI has launched a dedicated ChatGPT desktop app for macOS, expanding the AI chatbot's capabilities beyond the web browser.
The desktop app offers enhanced convenience for frequent ChatGPT users, allowing for seamless integration with your workflow and easier access to features like screenshot sharing and discussion.
While the core functionality remains the same, the desktop app provides a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for those who rely on ChatGPT for daily tasks.
How to find the desktop app:
- Log in to your ChatGPT account via the web browser as usual.
- Click on your picture in the top right corner.
- Choose the "Download the macOS app" option and download the app.
- When installed, use the Option + Space shortcut to quickly access ChatGPT.
For now, this exciting upgrade is exclusive to Mac users, but we've heard whispers in the tech community hinting at a potential Windows release later this year.
Enhanced features for free users
As a nice surprise, ChatGPT-4o is bringing a bunch of powerful features to its free version, making advanced AI tools accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Here's what you get even if you can't afford ChatGPT Plus.
Advanced intelligence
With GPT-4 becoming available in the free version, ChatGPT's brain got a serious upgrade. It now handles complex queries with ease, offering insights that might surprise you with their depth and relevance.
Dual-source responses
Get answers powered by both AI and web sources. The ability to search the internet used to make a big difference between the free and paid versions of ChatGPT, and now they are generously narrowing that gap.
Data visualization
Turn raw data into clear, compelling interactive charts and tables without leaving the chat. This is great for a variety of use cases, from preparing for performance meetings to pitching to investors.
Visual conversation
By attaching a photo to give ChatGPT context for the conversation, you can now discuss images as easily as you discuss text. This is great for product-specific queries, design feedback, or any situation where a picture is worth a thousand words.
Document upload
Similar to communicating through images, the free version now allows you to upload files in multiple formats for summary, analysis, or writing assistance. For example, you can give ChatGPT a spreadsheet filled with data to analyze or a multi-page PDF to quickly find a specific answer.
Custom GPTs and GPT Store
Getting access to custom GPTs is arguably the most exciting feature to come to the free version. Now everyone can build their own GPTs to streamline everyday tasks, as well as visit the existing marketplace of specialized AI tools for various tasks and industries.
Long-term memory
No need to start from scratch each time you chat – it can remember the information you give it about your company and your audience, and even keep in mind how you prefer some answers to be formatted.
You can also manually delete specific "memories" it has or just tell it to forget something.
How small businesses can benefit from ChatGPT-4o
As we've explored the exciting features of ChatGPT-4o, you might be wondering how these innovations can directly benefit your small business.
Here are six key areas where ChatGPT-4o can make a real difference:
- Smarter spending: ChatGPT-4o's reduced costs for high-quality AI interactions mean you can access powerful tools without breaking the bank. Small businesses can now leverage cost-effective AI solutions to match the AI prowess of larger companies, potentially disrupting the traditional power dynamics in the market.
- Breaking language barriers: With support for over 50 languages, ChatGPT-4o opens doors to global markets. You can now engage with international customers in their native language, making your business more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
- Enhanced customer service: The multimodal interaction features enable faster, more efficient customer support. Whether through text, voice, or video, you can provide personalized assistance that enhances the overall customer experience.
- Data-driven decision-making: Simplified data analysis and visualization tools make it easier to understand your business metrics. With clear, AI-generated insights, you can make informed decisions without necessarily needing a dedicated data analyst.
- Content creation boost: Leverage GPT-4 level intelligence to create high-quality content for your brand. The photo upload and analysis features allow you to develop more engaging visual marketing materials without additional tools.
- Streamlined operations: File upload and summarization features can significantly cut the time spent on document processing. Plus, the Memory feature allows for more personalized interactions over time, not only minimizing the back-and-forth but potentially improving customer relationships and internal communication.
Final word
The rollout of ChatGPT-4o offers small businesses a powerful toolkit for growth and efficiency. And with all the impressive improvements for free accounts, OpenAI has leveled the playing field, making advanced AI accessible to more people than before.
Take the time to explore each new capability as it rolls out. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experiment and discover the potential impact these tools can have on your business.
Not sure where to start your ChatGPT journey? Read our beginner's guide here.
Disclaimer: When using AI tools, avoid entering sensitive information and always review output for accuracy. Additionally, this content is for demonstration purposes only; it does not represent any affiliation, endorsement, or sponsorship with ChatGPT or Open AI. All trademark rights belong to their respective owners. Third-party trademarks are used here for demonstrative and educational purposes only; use does not represent affiliation.
