Why GPT-5.2 and Opus 4.5 are a leap forward for coding

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The latest generation of AI models have proven to be a major step forward for a wide range of coding tasks – but at what cost?

OpenAI’s GPT‑5.2 and Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5 models landed within weeks of each other at the end of 2025. Together, they have reset expectations for what AI coding assistants and agents can achieve. 

The use of AI within developer workflows has split developers since ChatGPT kicked off the generative AI revolution three years ago. While many coders have been wowed by their potential, there has also been a steady decline into the trough of disillusionment.

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