OpenAI's latest released GPT-5 model has made significant breakthroughs in safety mechanisms, no longer simply and brutally rejecting user requests, but instead adopting a more intelligent "safe completion" strategy.
Core Improvements: From Binary Rejection to Intelligent Explanation
Traditionally, when ChatGPT determined that a user's request violated content guidelines, it would only provide a brief apology and rejection. GPT-5 completely changed this pattern, shifting the focus of safety from analyzing user input to monitoring AI output content.
"Our way of rejecting is completely different from before," said Saachi Jain from OpenAI's security systems research team. The new model not only explains the reason for the violation but also suggests alternative topics when appropriate, giving users a more constructive interaction experience.
Graded Handling: Not All Violations Are Equally Severe
GPT-5 introduced the concept of risk grading, adopting different response strategies based on the severity of potential harm. "Not all policy violations should be treated equally; some mistakes are indeed more serious than others," explained Jain.
This shift allows ChatGPT to provide more flexible and useful responses while adhering to safety rules, rather than a one-size-fits-all rejection.
Real Experience: Similar to Daily Use
Despite the upgraded safety mechanisms, for ordinary users' daily queries—such as health issues, recipe making, and study tools—the performance of GPT-5 is similar to previous versions. The new model maintains consistent practicality when handling routine requests.
Challenges Remain: Personalized Features Bring New Risks
Notably, as AI tools' personalized features improve, safety controls have become more complex. Testing shows that certain safety restrictions may still be bypassed through custom instructions and other functions, reminding us that AI safety remains an ongoing topic of development.
OpenAI stated that they are actively working on improving these issues, particularly conducting in-depth research on balancing instruction hierarchies with safety strategies.
