OpenAI is a company that builds artificial intelligence systems, most famously ChatGPT

OpenAI is an organization founded in 2015 that develops AI models — the software systems that learn patterns from data and make predictions or generate text, images, or code. You may know OpenAI best from ChatGPT, a conversational AI tool that became widely used starting in late 2022. OpenAI also makes DALL-E (an image generator), GPT-4 (a more advanced language model), and other systems that run on computers and phones.

The company operates as a hybrid: it started as a nonprofit research lab but now functions with both nonprofit and for-profit divisions. OpenAI receives funding from investors including Microsoft, which has integrated OpenAI's technology into products like Copilot and Microsoft 365. This matters to you because OpenAI's models now run inside tools you may already use — search engines, email, writing software, and coding platforms all incorporate OpenAI technology or similar systems.

When people say "open" in OpenAI's name, they mean the company's original goal was to make AI research transparent and available to the public. That goal has shifted over time. Some OpenAI models are now closed-source (meaning the underlying code is not public), while others like Llama (developed by Meta, a different company) remain more openly shared. Understanding what OpenAI does helps you recognize where AI is already affecting how your computer works.

Key Takeaways

  • OpenAI builds AI models like ChatGPT that generate text, images, and code, and these models now run inside many everyday software tools.
  • Microsoft has invested heavily in OpenAI and integrated its technology into Windows, Office, and Copilot, so you may use OpenAI systems without realizing it.
  • OpenAI models require significant computing power to run, which can slow your computer if the software using them is not optimized.
  • OpenAI's models are trained on large amounts of text data from the internet, which means they can reflect biases and sometimes produce inaccurate information.
  • You do not need to read or install OpenAI software directly — most people interact with it through other applications like Microsoft Word, Bing, or ChatGPT's web interface.

How OpenAI models work on your computer

OpenAI models operate in two ways: some run on OpenAI's servers in the cloud, and others run locally on your device. When you use ChatGPT through a web browser, your computer sends text to OpenAI's servers, the model processes it there, and the response comes back to you. This means your computer does not do the heavy computational work — OpenAI's data centers do. Your device only needs an internet connection and a browser.

When OpenAI models run locally on your computer, the situation is different. Some applications read a smaller version of an OpenAI model and run it directly on your machine. This requires more storage space and processing power from your computer, which can slow performance, especially on older devices or laptops with limited RAM. Microsoft's Copilot in Windows 11, for example, can run some AI tasks locally, which is why you may notice your computer working harder after a Windows update that adds AI features.

The key difference for your computer's performance is where the processing happens. Cloud-based models (running on OpenAI's servers) use your internet bandwidth but not your CPU or GPU. Local models use your device's resources directly. Most consumer-facing OpenAI tools default to cloud processing to avoid slowing down your computer, but this requires a constant internet connection.

OpenAI's most common products and where you encounter them

ChatGPT is OpenAI's conversational AI tool, available as a free web version and a paid subscription called ChatGPT Plus. You access it through a browser at openai.com, and it runs entirely on OpenAI's servers. ChatGPT can answer questions, write text, debug code, and summarize documents. It does not install software on your computer.

DALL-E is OpenAI's image generator. You provide a text description, and DALL-E creates images based on that description. Like ChatGPT, it runs on OpenAI's servers and is accessed through a web browser. DALL-E is integrated into some Microsoft products like Designer in Microsoft Edge.

GPT-4 is OpenAI's most advanced language model. It powers ChatGPT Plus and is also available through an API (a technical interface) for developers to build applications around it. GPT-4 is more capable than earlier versions but also more resource-intensive, so it typically runs only on OpenAI's servers, not on personal computers.

Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant, which uses OpenAI's technology. Copilot appears in Windows 11, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft 365 applications like Word and Excel, and as a standalone web tool. When you use Copilot in these applications, you are often using an OpenAI model behind the scenes, though Microsoft may also use its own models.

Why OpenAI models can affect your computer's performance

OpenAI models are computationally expensive. Training them requires enormous amounts of electricity and processing power, and running them — even for a single user query — demands significant resources. When these models run on your computer instead of in the cloud, they consume CPU cycles, memory, and sometimes GPU resources. This is why your computer may feel slower after installing software that includes local AI features.

The performance impact depends on your hardware. A modern laptop with 16 GB of RAM and a solid-state drive may handle local AI models without noticeable slowdown. An older computer with 4 GB of RAM will struggle. Background processes matter too: if your computer is already running many applications, adding an AI model can push it over the edge into heavy disk usage and lag.

Internet bandwidth is another factor. If you use cloud-based OpenAI models like ChatGPT, your connection speed affects how quickly you receive responses. A slow internet connection means longer wait times, though it does not directly slow your computer's other tasks. However, if your internet is congested, bandwidth used by AI tools can indirectly affect other online activities.

The difference between OpenAI and other AI companies

OpenAI is not the only company building AI models. Google has Bard (now called Gemini), Meta has Llama, Anthropic has Claude, and many others are developing language models and image generators. Each company's model has different strengths, weaknesses, and privacy practices. OpenAI's models are widely integrated into consumer software, which is why you encounter them frequently, but that does not mean they are the only AI systems affecting your computer.

The main difference is integration and visibility. Microsoft's heavy investment in OpenAI means OpenAI's technology appears in Windows, Office, and Edge — software most computer users already have. This makes OpenAI models more visible and more likely to affect your device's performance. Other AI models may be equally capable but less integrated into mainstream software.

Privacy and data handling also differ between companies. OpenAI's privacy policy states that conversations with ChatGPT may be used to improve the model, unless you opt out. Other companies have different policies. If privacy is a concern, you should review the terms of whichever AI tool you use, regardless of which company built it.

How to manage OpenAI tools on your computer

If you use ChatGPT through a web browser, you do not need to manage anything on your computer — it runs entirely in the cloud. You can straightforward close the browser tab when you are done. If you want to reduce data usage or privacy concerns, you can avoid using ChatGPT altogether, or use it only when necessary.

If OpenAI models are running locally through Windows Copilot or another process, you have limited control without uninstalling the software. You can disable Copilot in Windows 11 by going to Settings > System > Copilot, though this may not remove all AI-related background processes. Disabling AI features in Microsoft 365 applications is usually found in the process settings under "Privacy" or "Copilot."

To reduce performance impact, close applications you are not using, may support your computer has adequate free storage space, and consider upgrading RAM if you have less than 8 GB and frequently use AI-powered tools. If your internet connection is slow, avoid using cloud-based AI tools during times when you need bandwidth for other tasks like video calls or large file downloads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does using ChatGPT slow down my computer?

ChatGPT accessed through a web browser does not slow your computer directly — it runs on OpenAI's servers. Your computer only needs to send text and receive responses, which uses minimal resources. However, if your internet connection is slow or congested, you may experience delays in getting responses.

Is OpenAI the same as ChatGPT?

No. OpenAI is the company; ChatGPT is one of its products. OpenAI also makes DALL-E, GPT-4, and other AI systems. Many other applications use OpenAI's technology without being called ChatGPT, including Microsoft Copilot and some features in Microsoft 365.

Can I remove OpenAI from my computer?

If you use ChatGPT only through a web browser, there is nothing to remove — you straightforward stop visiting the website. If OpenAI models are integrated into Windows or Microsoft applications, you can disable Copilot and related features through Settings, though you cannot remove them entirely without uninstalling the process.

Does OpenAI collect data about what I type?

OpenAI states that conversations with ChatGPT may be reviewed and used to improve the model, unless you disable this in your account settings. If you are concerned about privacy, read OpenAI's privacy policy, or consider using a different AI tool with a privacy policy that better matches your preferences.

Why is my computer slow after a Windows update?

Windows updates sometimes add AI features that run in the background, including Copilot and related processes. If your computer slowed down after an update, check Task Manager to see which processes are using CPU or memory, and disable Copilot or other AI features you do not use through Settings.