How do I resolve the 'ImportError: cannot import name OpenAI' when setting up my Python Assistant API script?

Below is an explanation and a corrected code sample.

What's Happening

The error

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from openai import OpenAI
ImportError: cannot import name 'OpenAI' from 'openai'

indicates that there isn’t any exported class named OpenAI in the installed Python bindings. In other words, the OpenAI Python package (version 1.2.3 in your case) doesn’t have an "OpenAI" class that you can import.

How to Fix It

1. Remove the import:
   Delete the line

   PYTHONCopied
   from openai import OpenAI

   and the subsequent use of that non-existent class.

2. Use the module’s functions directly:
   The OpenAI Python library is designed so that you call its functions by using the module itself (for example, openai.Assistant.create(...) might be the appropriate call if that endpoint is available).

3. Update your code according to the API documentation:
   The examples in the documentation use direct HTTP calls (via curl) and the library might have early support for assistants. Verify that your installed package version supports the assistant endpoints you're using. If not, you may need to update the OpenAI package to a beta or newer version that includes these endpoints.

Below is a revised version of your script that removes the import error by not trying to instantiate an unavailable OpenAI class:

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import os
import openai

# Set your API key (make sure the environment variable is set properly)
openai.api_key = os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY")

# Create the assistant using the appropriate API call from the library.
my_assistant = openai.Assistant.create(
    instructions="You are a personal math tutor. When asked a question, write and run Python code to answer the question.",
    name="Math Tutor",
    tools=[{"type": "code_interpreter"}],
    model="gpt-4"
)
print(my_assistant)

# Create a conversation thread with the assistant
thread = openai.Thread.create()

# Add a user message to the thread
message = openai.ThreadMessage.create(
    thread_id=thread.id,
    role="user",
    content="Help me devide 10 by pi"  # Note: "devide" should be "divide"
)

# Trigger a run with the assistant to process the conversation
run = openai.ThreadRun.create(
    thread_id=thread.id,
    assistant_id=my_assistant.id,
    instruction="Please help the user."
)

import time
time.sleep(10)

print(run)

# Retrieve the status of the run
run_status = openai.ThreadRun.retrieve(
    thread_id=thread.id,
    run_id=run.id
)

Additional Tips

• Check your package version:
  Ensure the version of the OpenAI Python package you are using has support for the beta assistants/threads endpoints. You might need to upgrade it if necessary (e.g., pip install --upgrade openai).

• API Beta Requirements:
  If you are using beta endpoints (such as those for assistants/threads), make sure your API key has access, and follow any additional configuration or headers as described in the documentation.

By removing the erroneous import and using the module's functions directly, your script should execute without the ImportError.