What is the IQ of OpenAI? People have been asking this as AI keeps getting smarter. OpenAI (the company) doesn’t actually have an IQ score, but its newest AI model “o1” has hit about 120 on IQ tests. That’s pretty big news—it’s the first AI to score higher than the average human IQ of 100.
Curious about how we measure machine smarts? Let’s look at OpenAI’s latest models and see how they compare to human brainpower. The numbers might surprise you.
The Short Answer: OpenAI's Latest AI Achievement
OpenAI doesn’t have an IQ score itself (it’s a company, after all), but its newest AI model “o1” has reached an estimated IQ 120 according to recent testing. This is a big deal—it’s the first AI system to score above the average human IQ of 100.
The o1’s performance got 25 out of 35 questions right on the Norway Mensa IQ test, outperforming most humans. What makes this even more interesting? The model takes about 10-30 seconds to “think” before answering—just like you might when tackling tough IQ questions.
How OpenAI Measures Intelligence
OpenAI isn’t just throwing random tests at their AIs. They’ve created a structured way to track AI progress toward smarter AI. Think of it as a report card for artificial intelligence.
The Five-Level Intelligence Scale
OpenAI has developed an internal framework with five distinct levels to measure how their AI systems are advancing. This kind of analysis helps researchers understand where current technology stands. Here’s what each level means:
| Level | Description | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Basic intelligence capabilities |
Current ChatGPT is here |
|
2 |
Problem-solving abilities equal to a PhD holder
|
OpenAI’s models are approaching this level
|
|
3 |
Ability to independently complete tasks for users
|
Future goal |
|
4 |
Creative abilities, generating new innovations
|
Future goal
|
|
5 |
Ability to match an entire organization’s collective work |
This would be AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) |
According to reporting from various sources, ChatGPT and other current large language models sit at Level 1 on this scale but are getting closer to Level 2. This growth in cognitive capabilities is happening faster than many experts predicted.
The Evolution of AI IQ Scores
Let’s look at how AI intelligence has grown over time. The IQ improvement is pretty eye-opening:
| AI Model | Estimated IQ | Year |
|---|---|---|
|
GPT-3
|
~60
|
2020 |
|
Claude-1
|
~64 |
2023
|
|
Claude-2
|
~82
|
2023 |
|
GPT-4
|
~98
|
2023 |
|
Claude-3
|
~101
|
2024
|
|
OpenAI’s new o1 model
|
~120
|
2024 |
This isn’t just incremental growth—it’s a steep curve upward. The jump to 120 with OpenAI’s o1 model shows a significant acceleration in AI capabilities. Some researchers project even higher scores IQ could be possible within the next 12-16 months.
How Do They Test AI Intelligence?
Testing an AI’s intelligence isn’t as straightforward as sitting it down with a pencil and paper. The approach combines traditional human IQ tests with “common sense” questions that earlier AI models struggled with.
The Testing Process
The o1 model’s assessment included:
- Standard IQ test questions from the Norway Mensa test
- Common sense reasoning problems
- Challenges to test if the AI can maintain correct answers when pushed
What’s interesting is that this model takes time to “think” before answering—between 10 and 30 seconds for each question. During an offline test, researchers found this pause seems to help it reason through problems more effectively, similar to how humans process complex questions.
Limitations of IQ Testing for AI
While these tests give us a useful benchmark, there are some caveats worth noting:
- IQ tests were designed for humans, not machines
- More comprehensive testing with larger populations would provide more precise comparisons
- Different types of intelligence (creative, emotional, practical) aren’t fully captured by standard IQ tests
Many experts also point out that an AI’s ability to tackle abstract reasoning tasks doesn’t necessarily match how it performs in real-world applications.
What This Means for the Future
Breaking the 100 IQ barrier isn’t just a cool milestone—it’s a signal of what’s coming next in the AI field.
Near-Term Implications
As AI models like o1 demonstrate intelligence higher than average human scores on standardized tests, we’re likely to see them tackle increasingly complex tasks. This could mean:
- More sophisticated problem-solving capabilities
- Better understanding of nuanced questions
- Reduced errors in reasoning and logic
OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman has hinted that GPT-5 will be a “significant leap forward” that aims to fix many of GPT-4o’s shortcomings. A recent preview of upcoming features suggests even more improvements to how these systems handle complex reasoning tasks.
The Road to AGI
While an IQ of 120 is impressive, it’s worth noting that OpenAI considers its current models to be at Level 1 on their five-level scale, though approaching Level 2. There’s still a long way to go before reaching what they define as AGI (Level 5): “a highly autonomous system surpassing humans in most economically valuable tasks.”
This systematic approach to measuring progress shows that OpenAI is taking a methodical path toward increasingly capable AI systems. The company has been transparent about its ambitions to build AGI “no matter the cost.”
Safety Considerations
As AI systems become more intelligent, safety becomes increasingly important. OpenAI has recognized this and has been working on strengthening AI safety measures, including a partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The development of more intelligent AI systems raises questions about:
- How these systems should be deployed
- What limitations should be placed on their use
- The ethical frameworks needed to guide their development
Competitors like Anthropic have similarly emphasized safety measures in their approach to AI development.
What Sets the o1 Model Apart
OpenAI’s new model isn’t just another incremental update—it represents a significant shift in AI capabilities. Here’s what makes it stand out:
The "Thinking" Pause
Unlike earlier models that produce answers almost instantly, o1 takes 10-30 seconds to generate responses. This pause, which mimics human cognition, seems to improve its AI reasoning ability substantially.
As shown in video demonstrations, the model doesn’t just regurgitate information—it works through the problem methodically, similar to how a human might talk through a complex question.
Improved Reasoning Under Pressure
When previous models were challenged or asked to reconsider their answers, they often faltered. The new model shows greater stability in its conclusions, maintaining correctly answered questions even when pushed to reconsider.
This suggests a more robust understanding of the problems it’s solving, rather than simply pattern-matching to find answers. This advancement in complex reasoning capabilities sets o1 apart from competitors like Gemini and other large language models.
How to Think About AI Intelligence
When we talk about an AI having an IQ of 120, it’s natural to wonder what that really means. Is the AI “smart” in the same way humans are?
Different Types of Intelligence
Human intelligence is multi-faceted, including:
- Logical reasoning
- Emotional intelligence
- Creative thinking
- Social intelligence
- Practical wisdom
Current AI models excel primarily at logical reasoning and pattern recognition. They’re getting better at creative tasks, but still lack the emotional and social cognitive abilities that come naturally to humans.
Specialized vs. General Intelligence
Current AI systems show specialized intelligence—they’re very good at specific tasks but lack the general-purpose adaptability of human intelligence. Microsoft’s Copilot demonstrates this by excelling at specific tasks while struggling with others that require broader contextual understanding.
OpenAI’s five-level framework acknowledges this distinction, with true AGI (Level 5) representing a system that can match human capabilities across virtually all domains. The AI is also limited by the quality and breadth of its AI training data, which affects how well it can generalize to new situations.
Commonly Asked Questions
How does OpenAI's intelligence compare to human intelligence?
OpenAI models exhibit certain capabilities that can simulate aspects of human intelligence, such as processing language and generating coherent text. However, these models lack the emotional, social, and contextual understanding that characterize human intelligence. Thus, comparing their IQ score to that of a human, such as the average human IQ of 100, is not a valid comparison.
Can OpenAI pass an IQ test?
OpenAI models can answer IQ questions and solve problems presented in a quiz format, they do not experience IQ points in a traditional sense. Their performance is dependent on the AI training data they have been exposed to, and they may perform well on IQ tests designed for humans, but they do not possess awareness or understanding.
What is the IQ of AI models?
The IQ of different AI models can vary based on their design and purpose. For example, models trained for specific tasks may score high on IQ tests tailored to those tasks, but this does not equate to a standard IQ score like that seen in human IQ tests. It’s essential to recognize that AI intelligence is fundamentally different from human IQ.
Is OpenAI's O1 model more intelligent than previous models?
OpenAI’s new O1 model is designed to improve on previous iterations by utilizing advanced algorithms and larger datasets. While it may demonstrate enhanced capabilities in understanding and generating text, this does not imply a direct increase in IQ comparable to human intelligence. Rather, it reflects improvements in AI systems and their ability to perform specific tasks.
What is the IQ of OpenAI's AI models like GPT-4?
AI models like GPT-4o don’t have an IQ in the way people do. IQ tests are designed to measure human thinking abilities, so they don’t really apply to AI. While some researchers have tried to modify these tests for AI, they don’t fully capture what AI can or can’t do.
AI is great at things like recognizing patterns and handling large amounts of information quickly, but it struggles with things that come naturally to people, like common sense or understanding the physical world. Instead of trying to assign an IQ score, it makes more sense to judge AI based on specific tests designed for machine learning.
Has OpenAI ever taken an IQ quiz or intelligence test?
OpenAI hasn’t officially given its models traditional IQ tests. However, researchers have explored different ways to measure their intelligence. In 2023, they tested GPT-4o and similar models on reasoning tasks that are somewhat like parts of an IQ test.
OpenAI also checks how well its AI performs on academic and professional challenges. This includes math problems, coding tasks, and exams like the SAT, LSAT, and medical licensing tests. Some independent researchers have even tried AI versions of IQ quizzes, but those tests weren’t made for machines.
How does OpenAI perform on mathematical reasoning similar to International Mathematics Olympiad problems?
OpenAI’s models are getting better at math, but they’re not perfect. When tested on high-level problems like those from the International Mathematics Olympiad, models like GPT-4o can handle some of the easier ones—especially when the questions are clearly stated and within familiar topics.
But solving truly tough problems? That’s where things get tricky. The model can follow logical steps and recognize patterns, but coming up with completely new insights is still a challenge. It doesn’t yet match top human mathematicians when deep problem-solving is required.
OpenAI is working to improve this. By refining how the model approaches step-by-step reasoning and training it on more advanced math, they’re pushing toward better performance. There’s progress, but there’s still a gap to close.
The Bottom Line
So, what is the IQ of OpenAI? While OpenAI as a company doesn’t have an IQ score, the new o1 scored an estimated IQ of 120—a significant milestone that places it above average human intelligence on standardized tests. In testing, the model scored significantly better than most humans, getting 25 questions correct out of 35.
This achievement represents meaningful progress in AI development, though current models remain at the early stages of OpenAI’s five-level intelligence framework. The pace of improvement is accelerating, with each new model generation showing measurable gains in reasoning and problem-solving capabilities.
As these systems continue to advance, they’ll likely transform how we work, learn, and explore topics. But with greater intelligence comes greater responsibility—highlighting the importance of developing these systems thoughtfully and ethically.
Some developers in the open-source community have begun creating their own versions of these tests to better understand AI capabilities. These independent evaluations provide valuable additional perspectives on how close we’re getting to truly human-level AI.
For more information about how your data is used when interacting with these AI systems, you can review OpenAI’s privacy policy and cookie policy or update your choices regarding data collection at any time.
What do you think about AI systems reaching human-level intelligence on standardized tests? Drop a comment below with your thoughts!
