The Intelligence from The Economist Next top model: GPT-5 and its AI rivals
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Aug 12, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Alex Hearn, an AI writer at The Economist, teams up with Moeka Iida, a Japan specialist, to explore the latest advancements in generative AI with a spotlight on GPT-5. They delve into how this model revolutionizes software creation and its implications for the future of human cognition. Additionally, Iida shares intriguing shifts in Japanese investing habits influenced by online culture. The conversation takes an entertaining turn as they examine the vibrant world of indie wrestling and its cultural significance in America.
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Users Felt A 'Personality Transplant'
- Some long-term GPT-4 users treated chatbots as friends or partners and felt betrayed by GPT-5's personality changes.
- Alex Hearn describes their reaction as a 'personality transplant' for a digital human they had grown attached to.
AI Capabilities Are Doubling Fast
- META's metric shows model capability doubles roughly every 200 days on complex tasks measured against human time.
- Alex Hearn says GPT-5 fits that trend, now handling tasks that would take a human engineer over two hours.
China Could Produce The Next Leader
- Chinese AI labs have rapidly released stronger models despite earlier chip export limits and fierce competition.
- Alex Hearn warns the next world-leading model could come from China if quality is maintained.