How to pick the right GPT-6 model for your startup

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has published a beginner-friendly guide for startups trying to figure out which version of GPT-6 to use. GPT-6 is an AI system that can understand and generate text to help with tasks like writing, answering questions, and problem-solving.

The guide covers several practical decisions you'll need to make. First, it explains how to choose between different GPT-6 models — think of these as different versions with different strengths and speeds. It also shows how to adjust "reasoning effort," which is essentially how much time and computing power you want the AI to spend thinking through a problem before giving you an answer. More thinking time often means better answers, but it takes longer and costs more.

Beyond model selection, the guide dives into how to write clearer instructions (called "prompts") so the AI understands what you actually want. It also explains how to connect GPT-6 to other tools and software your company already uses — so everything works together smoothly in real-world situations, not just in testing.

For any startup planning to use AI as part of their product or service, this guide is meant to answer the basic "how do I get started?" questions and help you avoid common mistakes before launching.