OpenAI releases GPT-5.4 update amid US deal controversy, makes ChatGPT ‘think’ and work with MS Excel spreadsheets

Amid the recent backlash from the user community regarding its controversial agreement with the US Department of Defense (now the Department of War), OpenAI has released the GPT-5.4 as its latest frontier AI model. OpenAI states that this is the most capable and efficient model yet for professional workflows. The update powers an upgraded ChatGPT 5.4, introducing enhanced reasoning, coding, and agentic capabilities designed to tackle complex tasks with greater accuracy, fewer errors, and minimal back-and-forth.

Among the star features for GPT-5.4 include a new “Thinking Mode” and direct integrations with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets – both of which are expected to make ChatGPT a compelling tool to retain the user base, which has been fleeing towards rival Anthropic’s Claude.