AI brief: GPT-4o leaves OpenAI’s API on January 14, so check your automations

01OpenAI sets an end date for GPT-4o and GPT-4.1 in its API

On October 14, OpenAI told developers that four GPT-4 series models leave its API on January 14, 2027: GPT-4o, GPT-4o mini, GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini, fine-tuned versions included. The recommended replacement is gpt-6-luna, which OpenAI calls its “most efficient model for focused, high-volume tasks”. Its model pages now mark all four as deprecated, and each short name (gpt-4o, gpt-4o-mini, gpt-4.1, gpt-4.1-mini) points to a version on the list.

Why it matters: the notice is about the API, which Zapier, Make, n8n or a developer’s script use when they run on your OpenAI key; it doesn’t mention the ChatGPT app. Cost isn’t the issue: per token, gpt-6-luna is listed a third cheaper than GPT-4o mini on input and a sixth cheaper on output (our arithmetic from OpenAI’s prices). The issue is an automation that could stop one Thursday in January with nobody watching. And luna isn’t GPT-4o: test before you trust it.

02ChatGPT Voice now speaks with two French voices

On October 15, OpenAI began rolling out GPT-Live-1.1 and a smaller GPT-Live-1.1 Quip in ChatGPT Voice, with what it calls “more natural accents across languages.” The new voices include two for French, Aube and Rivage; the ones you see may vary by region and account. Free accounts get limited access to Quip, while Plus and Business Standard include 3 hours of GPT-Live-1.1 per rolling 24 hours.

Why it matters: a voice that answers in French is a rehearsal partner for the calls nobody enjoys, like the client whose order is late. OpenAI says French, not Québec French, so listen before you use it in front of a client.

03Copilot in Word can now review a contract against your playbook

Also on October 15, Microsoft made more than 20 legal skills generally available in Copilot, for Copilot customers worldwide. Copilot can review an agreement against a playbook, propose edits as Word tracked changes that apply only once you approve them, and extract commitments and deadlines; Cowork tracks obligations across many contracts. The fine print, from Microsoft’s help page: a Microsoft 365 Copilot commercial license, Word desktop or Cowork, reviews from playbooks only for now, and no legal advice.

Why it matters: law offices, notaries and any business juggling leases and supplier deals live in Word. Microsoft doesn’t say which languages the skills handle, so test a French contract first. And since a review starts from a playbook, the most useful step is free: write yours.