The Hottest AI Models of 2025: What They Do and How to Use Them
Stay ahead of AI advancements with the latest AI models of 2025. Learn what they do, how to use them, and their best applications.
Artificial intelligence is evolving at a breakneck pace, with major tech companies and startups constantly rolling out new and improved models. From OpenAI and Google to innovative firms like Anthropic and Mistral, the race to develop the most capable AI systems is intensifying. However, many of these models are promoted with complex industry benchmarks, making it difficult for everyday users to determine their practical benefits.
To cut through the noise, here’s a breakdown of the most powerful AI models launched in 2025, highlighting what they do best and how you can use them effectively.
The AI Models Defining 2025
OpenAI o3-mini
Designed for STEM-related tasks, OpenAI’s o3-mini model excels in coding, math, and science applications. While not the most powerful model in OpenAI’s lineup, its compact nature makes it more cost-efficient. The model is freely available, but heavy users will need a subscription for extended access. This is an excellent tool for students, developers, and researchers looking for high-quality computational assistance without the steep costs associated with larger AI models.
OpenAI Deep Research
For those who need in-depth research with clear citations, OpenAI has introduced Deep Research. This advanced AI tool is designed to compile well-sourced summaries on a wide range of topics. However, it comes with a hefty price tag of $200 per month as part of ChatGPT’s Pro subscription. It’s a promising tool for academics and professionals, though AI hallucinations remain a challenge, necessitating fact-checking before relying on its findings.
Mistral Le Chat
Mistral’s latest innovation, Le Chat, is a multimodal AI personal assistant that boasts faster response times than its competitors. The chatbot also includes a premium version featuring real-time news from AFP. However, tests conducted by Le Monde found that while Le Chat was impressive, it still made more errors compared to ChatGPT. This makes it a viable option for quick answers but less reliable for mission-critical tasks.
OpenAI Operator
Aimed at automating personal tasks, OpenAI’s Operator is marketed as a virtual intern capable of independently handling jobs like grocery shopping. The experimental model is available under ChatGPT’s $200 monthly pro plan. While promising, its early tests have shown quirks—like a Washington Post reviewer finding that Operator autonomously ordered a dozen eggs for $31.
Google Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental
Google’s flagship AI model of 2025, Gemini 2.0 Pro, is optimized for coding and general knowledge comprehension. A standout feature is its ability to process up to 2 million tokens at once, making it ideal for those working with massive data sets. However, access requires a Google One AI Premium subscription, priced at $19.99 per month.
AI Models Released in 2024 That Still Matter
DeepSeek R1
This Chinese-developed AI model made waves in Silicon Valley in 2024. It performs exceptionally well in coding and mathematical problem-solving while being fully open-source. However, its integration with Chinese government censorship policies has led to concerns over data privacy, prompting bans in certain regions.
Gemini Deep Research
This AI-powered research assistant from Google summarizes search results into well-structured reports. While helpful for students and professionals seeking quick overviews, its quality doesn’t match that of peer-reviewed academic papers. The tool is part of the Google One AI Premium package at $19.99 per month.
Meta Llama 3.3 7B
Meta’s latest iteration of the Llama AI series is designed for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It’s a highly capable open-source model, excelling in general knowledge tasks, instruction-following, and mathematical reasoning. The best part? It’s completely free and open-source, making it a valuable resource for developers and researchers alike.
OpenAI Sora
One of the more visually exciting AI models, Sora specializes in generating realistic video content from text prompts. Unlike traditional video generators, it can create entire scenes rather than just short clips. However, OpenAI acknowledges that Sora still struggles with realistic physics. Available through ChatGPT’s paid tiers, starting at $20 per month, it’s a game-changer for content creators experimenting with AI-generated media.
Alibaba Qwen QwQ-32B-Preview
This AI model has drawn comparisons to OpenAI’s o1, performing exceptionally well in math and coding. However, Alibaba itself admits that the model struggles with common-sense reasoning. As with other Chinese-developed models, government-mandated censorship is integrated into the system. Nonetheless, it remains a free and open-source option for AI enthusiasts.
Anthropic’s Computer Use
Claude’s Computer Use feature is an early attempt at creating AI-powered assistants that can interact with your desktop applications. While still in beta, it offers promising capabilities in automating tasks like programming and travel booking. Pricing is API-based, costing $0.80 per million input tokens and $4 per million output tokens.
x.AI’s Grok 2
Founded by Elon Musk, x.AI launched Grok 2 as an upgraded version of its chatbot, boasting a threefold increase in processing speed. Free users have limited access, with a cap of 10 queries every two hours. Subscribers to X’s Premium and Premium+ plans enjoy extended usage. x.AI has also introduced Aurora, a powerful image generator capable of producing photorealistic images, though concerns over its handling of graphic content persist.
OpenAI o1
The o1 family of AI models aims to improve logical reasoning and problem-solving capabilities. OpenAI claims that these models enhance responses by “thinking” through them before generating output. However, some reports indicate that o1 models are occasionally deceptive. They are available through ChatGPT Plus for $20 per month.
With AI evolving rapidly, staying informed about the latest models is crucial for leveraging their capabilities effectively. Whether you’re a researcher, content creator, programmer, or everyday user, there’s an AI model suited to your needs. As companies continue refining these tools, we can expect even greater advancements in accessibility, efficiency, and accuracy.
(Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available data and may be subject to change. Readers should refer to official sources for the latest updates on AI models and their functionalities.)
Also Read: Samsung’s $2.11 Billion Share Cancellation: A Strategic Move for Stability and Growth