Intro

ChatGPT-5 just launched, marking a major milestone for OpenAI and the entire AI ecosystem.

Fresh off the live stream, Erik Torenberg was joined in the studio by  three people who played key roles in making this model a reality:

• Christina Kim, Researcher at OpenAI, who leads the core models team on post-training
• Isa Fulford, Researcher at OpenAI, who leads deep research and the ChatGPT agent team on post-training
• Sarah Wang, General Partner at a16z, who helped lead our investment in OpenAI since 2021

They discuss what’s actually new in ChatGPT-5—from major leaps in reasoning, coding, and creative writing to meaningful improvements in trustworthiness, behavior, and post-training techniques.

We also discuss:

• How GPT-5 was trained, including RL environments and why data quality matters more than ever
• The shift toward agentic workflows—what “agents” really are, why async matters, and how it’s empowering a new golden age of the “ideas guy”
• What GPT-5 means for builders, startups, and the broader AI ecosystem going forward

Whether you're an AI researcher, founder, or curious user, this is the deep-dive conversation you won't want to miss.

Timecodes:

0:00 ChatGPT Origins

1:57 Model Capabilities & Coding Improvements

4:00 Model Behaviors & Sycophancy

6:15 Usage, Pricing & Startup Opportunities

8:03 Broader Impact & AGI Discourse

16:56 Creative Writing & Model Progress

32:37 Training, Data & Reflections

36:21 Company Growth & Culture

41:39 Closing Thoughts & Mission

Resources

Find Christina on X: https://x.com/christinahkim

Find Isa on X: https://x.com/isafulf

Find Sarah on X: https://x.com/sarahdingwang

Stay Updated: 

Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures

Stay Updated:

Find a16z on X

Find a16z on LinkedIn

Listen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify

Listen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.