GPT 5 Leaks on GitHub Ahead of Launch — Altman Compares Its Creation to the Manhattan Project, Says He Felt 'Useless'

The tech world erupted on Wednesday when GitHub accidentally published—then swiftly deleted—a blog post detailing OpenAI's next-generation artificial intelligence system.

The leak, captured and archived by vigilant social media users before removal, confirms GPT-5 will be launched today with four distinct versions designed to transform everything from enterprise communications to mobile applications.

Altman's 'Useless' Moment and Atomic Comparison

Most alarmingly, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman likened the project's development to the creation of the atomic bomb—calling the experience so transformative it made him feel 'useless'.

These revelations come at a time when OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has been publicly expressing concern about the sheer capability of GPT-5.

Speaking on Theo Von's podcast, Altman admitted to experiencing what he called a 'personal crisis of relevance' during internal testing of the model.

'I felt useless,' Altman confessed, recalling how GPT-5 solved a problem beyond his comprehension. His unease wasn't rooted in fear, but in the dawning realisation that AI might soon surpass human reasoning in meaningful ways.

In a particularly striking moment, Altman compared GPT-5's development to the Manhattan Project — the secret World War II operation that resulted in the first atomic bomb. 'There are moments in science when people look at what they've created and ask, "What have we done?"' he said, admitting the model's capabilities left him feeling 'very nervous' and 'scared'.

Pertinently, it appears that OpenAI is on the verge of unveiling GPT-5, the highly anticipated successor to GPT-4, during a livestream scheduled for today, August 7.

An Unverified GPT-5 Appears on GitHub

A now-removed blog post on GitHub appears to have accidentally revealed details about OpenAI's upcoming GPT-5 models. The leak mentioned that GPT-5 will launch with four different versions, each offering' significant upgrades in logical reasoning, programming capabilities, and overall usability.'

Just before being removed, a newly published blog post on GitHub was spotted by Reddit users, announcing the general release of GPT-5 on the platform. An archived version of the post reveals that the new model features' advanced autonomous features' and can handle 'sophisticated programming challenges with little user input.'

According to the information shared on GitHub, GPT-5 will be available in four different versions:

gpt-5: This model is designed to excel at logic and handle tasks that require multiple steps.

gpt-5-mini: A smaller, more lightweight version created for applications where cost is a primary concern.

gpt-5-nano: This variant is designed for speed, making it ideal for applications that require a swift response.

gpt-5-chat: An enterprise-focused model for sophisticated, natural, and context-aware conversations that can handle various types of input, such as text and images.

A 'Manhattan Project' of the Digital Age

The leaked details about GPT-5's capabilities gain new context in light of remarks from Sam Altman about his comparison to the creation of the Manhattan Project.

His comments reflect growing fears that AI is developing too quickly for governments and society to keep pace. Just as J Robert Oppenheimer famously reflected on the atomic bomb's creation, Altman appears to be grappling with similar ethical questions about unleashing a technology that could fundamentally alter human civilisation.

GPT-5 Rattles Even CEO

Altman has confessed that even he was unnerved by GPT-5's capabilities. During internal testing, the OpenAI CEO recalled a moment when he watched the model solve a complex problem that was beyond his understanding, an experience he called a 'personal crisis of relevance.'

'I felt useless,' the top executive admitted, highlighting just how advanced and autonomous artificial intelligence is becoming. His reaction wasn't based on a fear of the unknown or a loss of control but on a powerful realisation that AI is entering a new phase where it could meaningfully surpass human cognitive abilities. He views the creation of GPT-5 as the kind of event that triggers that very question.

A 'Godlike Tool' With No Moral Compass

This is not merely a leap in computing power — it's a time for us all to confront the direction of human innovation. Altman's reflection mirrors a growing sentiment within Silicon Valley: that we've built a 'godlike tool without a moral compass.'

Altman's comparison suggests that while GPT-5 isn't destructive in the conventional sense, its consequences could be just as irreversible. The technology offers vast potential, but also carries risks that we may not fully understand until it is too late.

His comments highlight a major worry among many AI leaders: that technological progress is accelerating faster than our ability to be cautious. GPT-5 could accelerate breakthroughs, automate complex tasks, and significantly transform the way we work.

Still, it also has the potential to destabilise social structures, undermine public trust in information, and challenge our fundamental beliefs about what it means to be human.

Racing Against Time and Competition

The premature revelation comes at a critical juncture for OpenAI, which faces intense competition from rivals including Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. The timing suggests OpenAI is under pressure to maintain its leadership position in the AI arms race, even as its leadership expresses reservations about the technology's implications.

According to multiple sources, GPT-5 has been in development for over eighteen months, with the company conducting extensive safety testing. However, Altman's comments suggest these precautions may be insufficient for a technology advancing at such breathtaking speed.

What This Means for Humanity

The leaked specifications paint a picture of AI systems that could revolutionise—or destabilise—numerous industries. GPT-5's promised capabilities include:

• Enhanced reasoning that approaches human-level problem-solving
• Multimodal processing combining text, images, and potentially audio
• Autonomous task completion requiring minimal human oversight
• Enterprise-grade conversational abilities that could replace entire departments

Early testers have described the experience as witnessing a 'digital mind' that doesn't just respond to queries but actively thinks through problems. One CEO who received a private demonstration called it 'really good, like materially better' than anything currently available.

For consumers, GPT-5 will reportedly be available through ChatGPT's existing subscription tiers, with free users receiving limited access, whilst Plus and Pro subscribers unlock increasingly powerful features. Microsoft's Copilot will also integrate the technology through a new 'Smart' mode that dynamically adjusts its reasoning depth based on task complexity.

A Technology Without Precedent

Perhaps most troubling is Altman's admission that AI development is 'advancing and scaling rapidly, potentially outpacing the oversights put in place'. His warning that society might collectively decide to 'live our lives the way AI tells us' represents a fundamental challenge to human autonomy and decision-making.

The GitHub leak, whilst embarrassing for OpenAI and Microsoft, has provided an unprecedented glimpse into a technology that could define the next decade. Whether GPT-5 represents humanity's most significant achievement or, as Altman fears, a Pandora's box we're unprepared to open, remains to be seen.

As one AI researcher noted on social media: 'When the people building the technology are this worried, perhaps we should all be paying attention.'