Can OpenAI Respond After Google Closes the A.I. Technology Gap?
By Cade Metz and Mike Isaac, Reporting from San Francisco
Published December 11, 2025 | Updated December 16, 2025
Just before Thanksgiving, Google made a bold claim that shook the artificial intelligence world: its latest AI model, Gemini 3, had surpassed the technology developed by its younger rival, OpenAI, asserting itself as the best AI model in the world. This announcement marked what many saw as a critical turning point in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, signaling that Google had closed the technology gap that OpenAI had previously enjoyed since its breakthrough with ChatGPT in 2022. However, less than a month after Google’s announcement, OpenAI responded with its own technological update — the release of GPT-5.2. According to OpenAI, this newest model is “the best model yet for real-world, professional use.” In a detailed blog post, the company highlighted that GPT-5.2 outperformed industry standards in several key areas including computer programming, mathematics, and science benchmarks.
A Tightening Race on the Cutting Edge
For many AI industry experts, the headline is not just about which company currently leads but rather the fact that the technological distinctions between OpenAI and its competitors have shrunk dramatically. The so-called foundational AI models, which form the backbone of today’s AI innovations, now look remarkably similar across different major AI labs. Rayan Krishnan, CEO of Vals AI, a firm that tracks AI model performance, noted, “The overall shape and form of what it takes to build foundational models is well understood — and is happening roughly the same way inside every major A.I. lab.”
This convergence of technology comes at a particularly precarious moment for OpenAI, which is managing the challenging balance between soaring expenditures and revenues that have yet to tip into profitability.
Financial Pressure Amidst Innovation
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has projected that by the end of 2025, the company will reach monthly revenues that could translate into an impressive $20 billion annually. Despite this growth, OpenAI remains far from generating profits. Over the coming years, the company plans an ambitious investment of approximately $1.4 trillion in the computing power necessary to build and deploy its AI technologies. This massive spending effort underscores the vast resources required to maintain a leadership position in the AI race.
From Early Dominance to Intense Competition
When OpenAI ignited the AI boom with its ChatGPT chatbot launch in late 2022, it quickly established a commanding lead over other companies. For more than two years, OpenAI maintained this advantage as the clear innovator in the field. However, the last 12 months have proven transformative. Competitors in the United States and China have developed technologies that not only match but sometimes exceed the capabilities of OpenAI’s flagship models. This new competitive landscape means the AI race is entering a more mature, and arguably more challenging, phase.
What’s Next for OpenAI and the AI Industry?
The ongoing duel between OpenAI and Google reflects a broader industry trend — one where breakthroughs remain possible, but rapid innovation demands massive financial and technical investment. With foundational models becoming increasingly similar in architecture and capability, success may hinge less on initial invention and more on the strategic deployment, refinement, and scaling of AI systems in practical, professional environments.
OpenAI’s release of GPT-5.2 shows the company’s determination to stay at the forefront, even as competitors close in. As the race unfolds, observers will watch closely to see if OpenAI can sustain its momentum and whether it will be able to translate technological advances into long-term profitability.
This article is based on reporting from The New York Times and is subject to ongoing updates as the AI race continues to develop.
