OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI system ChatGPT, has taken a step towards the future by filing a trademark application for ChatGPT-5.

The news was shared by trademark lawyer Josh Gerben in a tweet on Monday, revealing that the filing was made with the USPTO on July 18th.

Since the successful launch of ChatGPT last year, OpenAI has been at the forefront of conversations about artificial intelligence (AI). They have continuously improved the system, with ChatGPT-4 hitting the market in March.

OpenAI’s founder, Sam Altman, has indicated that there is still substantial work to be done with ChatGPT-4 before they move on to develop the fifth version of this AI chatbot and search engine.

While ChatGPT is accessible for free to users, OpenAI offers a more powerful model for paying customers. The recent trademark application for ChatGPT-5 suggests that a more advanced and exciting version could be on the horizon.

In the AI landscape, major players like Microsoft Inc (NASDAQ: MSFT), an investor in OpenAI, have also been making strides. Recently, Microsoft announced new pricing plans for its AI-powered Office tools. Similarly, companies such as Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) are actively working on their proprietary technologies.

Despite its initial rapid growth, reports indicate that ChatGPT’s active user base is currently experiencing a decline. OpenAI will be keen to see if its latest developments, including the potential ChatGPT-5, can reignite interest and enthusiasm in the platform. Having transitioned from a nonprofit to a startup, OpenAI is now focused on exploring ways to monetize its user base.