OpenAI has announced a new update, called GPT-5.1, to its GPT-5 large language model, introduced in August. This update promises significant speed and cost savings for software developers, especially those using AI via APIs. The new version has the potential to fundamentally change the way AI is implemented in applications.
OpenAI’s GPT-5.1 Update: Major Speed and Cost Advantages for Developers
Despite the GPT-5 model’s robustness, developers sometimes complained about long response times. Even the simplest questions could take a while to get an answer. GPT-5.1 aims to address this issue with a new feature called “Adaptive Reasoning.” The system now evaluates the difficulty of the prompt. If the question is easy, the model produces a quick answer with less cognitive effort. For complex questions requiring deep analysis, it uses all its processing power. This approach means that simple queries no longer experience the delays of the old model, and by using fewer tokens, it reduces API costs.
The update also introduces a new feature called “No Reasoning Mode.” This mode prevents AI from performing deep step-by-step analysis for simple tasks or basic searches, allowing it to jump directly to the answer. This significantly reduces response time (latency) and makes the coding experience smoother. Another critical improvement for developers is “Extended Prompt Caching.” This system caches API requests for 24 hours.
Caching significantly reduces costs, especially for repetitive tasks. Understanding and processing a given command is resource-intensive for an AI model. For example, a customer support application might need to process the same basic rules for every interaction. In the new system, this request is compiled once and can be reused for 24 hours. This provides a significant cost advantage and speed improvement, especially for high-volume applications.
All these speed and cost improvements create a significant business advantage for OpenAI. Low API costs make integrating GPT-5.1 into existing applications (design-in) much more attractive. If applications with high download numbers use this technology, lower costs will play a critical role. The update also includes improved coding performance. AI now follows instructions better, and new tools like apply_patch make coding processes more efficient.
Denis Shiryaev, head of the AI DevTools Ecosystem at JetBrains, a popular developer tools maker, stated that GPT-5.1 is “truly action-oriented” and “the most naturally autonomous model he’s ever tested.” Shiryaev added that the model “codes like you” and easily integrates with existing codebases. So, what are your thoughts on the new GPT-5.1 update? Do you plan to use these new features in your coding or development processes? Share them with us in the comments.
