OpenAI, who just launched GPT-4.1he is losing technological ground against Gemini 2.5 Pro, but paradoxically his domain in users is strengthened thanks to the viral phenomenon of the generation of images in Chatgpt.
The panoramic. The launch of GPT-4.1 reveals an awkward truth: OpenAI no longer technically leads. Not as before, at least. Your new model is behind Gemini 2.5 Pro Google in programming tasks, precisely where he tried to highlight.
Meanwhile, Chatgpt has become The most downloaded application in the world Thanks to the virality of their abilities to generate Ghibli style illustrations either Action dolls.
Why is it important. The situation confirms that there is no Moat (The technological concept that refers to a “defensive pit”). Advances are equalized in months.
However, Openai has built something more valuable: a platform with mass traction and network effects than Google, despite its technical superiority and huge ecosystem, has not managed to replicate.
Between the lines. This contrast defines well the complex dynamic of the AI market: you can have the best technology (Google, In a way Anthropic) and yet lose the battle for users.
Or you can be losing the technological avant -garde (Openai) while dominating mass adoption. It is a paradox that can only face itself, but not refuse.
The turn. Sam Altman’s strategy seems to be pivoting. Recently said That “the models come and go, but we want to be the best platform.” A phrase that makes sense watching this trajectory: OpenAi prepares for a future where the value is on the platform, not necessarily having the best model.
It is something similar to What we commented after trying Grok 3: Their abilities as a model are up to what others offer for most uses. Even above. But it does not have the product that others do have: GPTS, projects, Canvasintegrations, etc.
In summary. We are seeing two parallel races in AI:
- The technological (which Google is winning for now).
- And that of mass adoption (dominated by Openai).
This duality anticipates a future that will not necessarily belong to those who develop the best technology, but to whom it best integrates it into experiences that convince millions of users.
And that is a lesson that should worry Google, whose technical leadership with Gemini 2.5 Pro does not translate into market domain, despite having a huge ecosystem where Android, Chrome, Gmail, the search engine, YouTube, Maps, Docs …
Outstanding image | Solen Feyissa in Unspash
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