The Next Generation of AI: GPT-4.5, Claude 3.7, and the Race for Artificial Intelligence Supremacy

I am fascinated by the speed at which the artificial intelligence landscape is evolving in these first months of 2025. If you are an entrepreneur, innovation manager or simply someone interested in technology, you need to be aware of what is happening: a new generation of AIs has just arrived on the market, and they promise to radically transform the way we interact with technology and develop solutions based on artificial intelligence.

GPT-4.5: OpenAI's evolution with a focus on more natural conversations

On February 27, 2025, OpenAI released GPT-4.5, its latest language model. What struck me most about this release is its focus on making interactions more natural and human. According to information released by TEMPO.CO, GPT-4.5 has a much better understanding of what humans actually mean, interpreting subtle nuances and implicit expectations with greater accuracy.

The numbers are impressive. When compared to its predecessor GPT-4o, the new model has an accuracy of 62.5% in answering complex questions, compared to just 38.2% for the previous model. Even more significant is the reduction in hallucinations (those made-up answers that bother us so much): just 37.1% for GPT-4.5, compared to 61.8% for GPT-4o.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has described GPT-4.5 as “the first model that feels like a conversation with a thoughtful human.” That description is no accident. In my experience working with AI startups, the ability to understand nuance and provide more human-like responses is often the difference between a solution that delights and one that merely does its basic job.

The Price of Innovation: GPT-4.5 Arrives at a High Cost

However, this evolution has its price – literally. According to Analytics India Magazine, GPT-4.5 is available under a pro plan for $200 per month, at a cost of $75 per million input tokens and $150 per million output tokens – approximately 30 times more expensive than previous models.

This high cost raises important questions about access to these technologies, especially for early-stage startups and emerging markets like Brazil. In my experience supporting entrepreneurs, I know that the cost of adopting new technologies can be a deciding factor for many startups.

OpenAI also faces infrastructure challenges. According to Computing, limited availability of GPUs has hampered the full launch of the model, resulting in a delay in implementation for some user tiers.

What's missing in GPT-4.5

Despite the advances, it’s important to note that GPT-4.5 currently doesn’t support multimodal features like voice, video, and screen sharing. This lack of features that were already available in previous versions of ChatGPT shows how OpenAI is prioritizing the quality of textual responses over expanding multimodal capabilities.

Claude 3.7 Sonnet: The first hybrid model of reasoning

Meanwhile, Anthropic is not lagging behind. According to a post on Substack, the company launched Claude 3.7 Sonnet, the first hybrid reasoning model, which combines near-instantaneous responses with extended step-by-step reasoning.

What really impresses me about Claude 3.7 is its coding capabilities. Anthropic has released a new tool called Claude Code that lets developers assign complex engineering tasks directly from the terminal. Benchmarks show that Claude 3.7 Sonnet outperforms on tests like SWE-bench and TAU-bench, which assess practical coding skills.

In my experience mentoring tech startups, I’ve seen how the ability to generate quality code can transform product development. Small teams can often multiply their productivity with tools that assist in coding, allowing them to focus more on product design and user experience.

Grok 3: xAI's bid for maximum performance

Elon Musk's company xAI also entered the race with the launch of the Grok 3. Still according to the Substack publication, Grok 3 stands out by offering cutting-edge features for real-time information and maximum model power, albeit at a higher operating cost.

The Grok 3 appears to be positioned as a no-compromise model, prioritizing performance over cost. This approach could be attractive to companies that need maximum capacity and are willing to pay for it.

The rise of Chinese models: DeepSeek R2 and Hunyuan Turbo S

An undeniable trend is the growing relevance of Chinese AI models on the global stage. According to Analytics India Magazine, Tencent recently launched the Hunyuan Turbo S, claiming it can respond to queries faster than the DeepSeek-R1.

The Hunyuan Turbo S utilizes an innovative hybrid mamba-transformer fusion architecture, which improves efficiency while reducing computational costs compared to conventional transformers. Priced at 0.8 yuan (approximately $0.11) per million input tokens and 2 yuan (approximately $0.28) per million output tokens, it represents a much more affordable alternative to Western models.

Meanwhile, DeepSeek is preparing to launch early its next reasoning model, DeepSeek R2, which promises enhanced coding capabilities and improved reasoning in languages other than English.

Competition in the Chinese AI market is intensifying, with Alibaba recently introducing the Qwen QwQ-Max reasoning model and committing to a $52 billion investment in AI over the next three years.

What this new generation means for entrepreneurs and innovators

As an entrepreneur and someone who has worked directly with startups for over two decades, I see this as an extraordinary opportunity for innovators. Here are some practical implications of this new generation of AIs:

1. Differentiation by quality of interaction

GPT-4.5’s ability to understand nuance and provide more natural responses opens up possibilities for creating virtual assistants, chatbots, and user interfaces that truly understand context and intent. This significantly elevates the user experience of AI-powered applications.

2. Accelerated development with AI for coding

Claude 3.7 Sonnet, with its advanced coding capabilities, can transform the speed at which startups develop products. Small teams can develop complex features faster, reducing time to market and enabling more frequent iterations.

3. Flexibility of choice based on specific needs

With different models offering distinct strengths, entrepreneurs can choose the solution that best meets their specific needs:

• Claude 3.7 for coding workflows and extended reasoning
• GPT-4.5 for cases requiring high accuracy and natural interactions
• Grok 3 for applications that require real-time capabilities
• Chinese models like Hunyuan Turbo S for cost-constrained solutions

4. Opportunities in emerging markets

Chinese models, with their significantly lower price tag, could democratize access to advanced AI, especially in emerging markets like Brazil. For local entrepreneurs, this opens up the possibility of creating sophisticated solutions without the prohibitive costs of leading Western models.

What to expect in the near future

Based on current trends and my experience following the development of disruptive technologies, I would like to make some predictions for the coming months:

1. Convergence towards hybrid models

Claude 3.7 Sonnet introduced the concept of a hybrid reasoning model, combining rapid responses with step-by-step thinking. I expect to see more models adopting hybrid approaches, offering different modes of operation optimized for specific tasks.

2. Cost reduction through competition

The entry of Chinese players with significantly lower prices should put pressure on Western leaders to find ways to reduce their prices. This global competition will benefit end users and startups with limited budgets.

3. Domain specialization

Instead of increasingly generalist models, we may see a trend toward specialization in specific domains. Models optimized for coding, data analysis, content creation, or customer service can offer better performance at more affordable costs.

4. Native integration into development platforms

With tools like Claude Code, AI for coding is moving beyond web interfaces to integrate natively into development environments. I expect to see IDEs with AI integrated in a much deeper way, fundamentally transforming the software development process.

Challenges and ethical considerations

Along with opportunities, new challenges and ethical issues also arise that we need to face:

Costs and accessibility

The high cost of GPT-4.5 raises questions about who will actually have access to these advanced technologies. In my work with startups, I have always advocated for the democratization of technology. We need to ensure that AI innovations do not create further technological inequality.

Reliability and hallucinations

Even with the significant reduction in hallucinations, all current models still have some degree of inaccuracy. For critical applications in areas such as healthcare, finance or security, this remains a significant challenge.

Privacy and data usage

With increasingly powerful models, questions about how data is used for training and how privacy is protected become even more relevant. Especially in Brazil, with the LGPD in force, entrepreneurs need to be aware of these issues.

Impact on creative work and software development

As models like Claude 3.7 Sonnet get better at coding, and GPT-4.5 at content creation, we need to think about how this will transform these professions. In my view, it’s not about replacing them, but about augmenting their capabilities—as long as we know how to adapt and evolve.

Conclusion: The time to act is now

This new generation of AI models represents much more than technological advances – they are tools that can redefine how we create products, interact with technology and solve complex problems.

For Brazilian entrepreneurs and innovators, my main recommendation is: try these models, understand their capabilities and limitations, and think about how you can integrate them into your solutions to create unique value. The opportunities are enormous for those who know how to combine these technologies with a deep understanding of the problems they seek to solve.

In my career supporting thousands of startups, I have learned that the windows of opportunity for adopting disruptive technologies are brief. Those who are able to understand and apply these technologies early often achieve significant competitive advantages.

The future of AI is being written now, and you can be a part of that story. The question is: how will you use these new capabilities to create solutions that truly matter?