Hi everyone,
Thanks to the OpenAI team to listen my feature request and push my idea as a reality i really appreciate.
Here anoter idea
Here’s the thing: not every request deserves the full weight of the most advanced model.
Right now, using AI often feels like driving a supercar to go buy groceries. It works, it’s powerful, but it’s not always necessary—and it comes at a cost. For many everyday tasks—quick questions, simple rewrites, small bits of logic—a lighter, more efficient model would be more than enough. Yet we’re often defaulting to the most capable (and most expensive) option, consuming tokens quickly and shortening the lifespan of our subscriptions.
What would make a real difference is the ability to consciously adjust the level of intelligence we use, depending on the task at hand.
Imagine choosing the exact level of AI you need—nothing more, nothing wasted:
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A “mini” model for everyday tasks → ~0.25× token cost
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A balanced model for structured work → ~0.5× token cost
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The most advanced model for complex tasks → 1× token cost
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Same credits, smarter usage
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Use less when you can, save more for when it matters
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Longer-lasting subscriptions, lower costs, less energy consumption
This kind of flexibility would fundamentally change how we use AI. It would allow developers and users to be intentional: saving powerful models for when they are truly needed, while relying on efficient ones for everything else.
The benefits are immediate and tangible. Subscriptions would last longer because we wouldn’t be overpaying in tokens for simple requests. Costs would be better controlled on both sides—users spend less, and OpenAI reduces unnecessary compute usage. At scale, this also means lower energy consumption, which directly contributes to reducing the environmental footprint of AI systems.
There’s also a shift in mindset here. Giving users control over model “intelligence” isn’t just a feature—it’s a new way of thinking about AI usage. Instead of always chasing maximum capability, we move toward optimal efficiency. The right tool, for the right job.
And importantly, this aligns naturally with OpenAI’s broader mission. Making AI more accessible doesn’t only mean making it more powerful—it also means making it more sustainable, more affordable, and more adaptable to real-world needs.
In practice, most of us don’t need the latest, most expensive model all the time. We just need the right level of intelligence, at the right moment.
Giving users that choice would make AI usage smarter, longer-lasting, and more responsible—for everyone.
Have a nice day
Sam