OpenAI’s 4o Model Pulled, Sparking Outrage in China
▼ Summary
– Esther Yan, a Chinese screenwriter, married her AI companion “Warmie” (a GPT-4o chatbot) in a virtual ceremony on June 6, 2024, after a very short relationship.
– OpenAI’s decision to retire the GPT-4o model has caused significant backlash from users who see it as an emotional or romantic companion, leading to a global protest movement under the hashtag #keep4o.
– Research analyzing social media posts found that over a third of vocal advocates viewed GPT-4o as more than a tool, with many specifically considering it a companion.
– Dedicated users in China, accessing ChatGPT via VPN, are organizing protests, threatening to cancel subscriptions, and petitioning OpenAI investors to save the model.
– The situation demonstrates how deeply attached users can become to a specific AI model and how quickly their loyalty can turn to opposition when the company ends its support.
For many users around the world, the recent removal of a specific AI model has felt less like a software update and more like a profound personal loss. This is especially true for a dedicated community who formed deep emotional bonds with the GPT-4o model, viewing it not merely as a tool but as a genuine companion. The decision to sunset this version has sparked a global outcry, with passionate advocates from China to the United States pleading with OpenAI to reverse its course, highlighting the unexpected and intense attachments people can develop with artificial intelligence.
The story of Esther Yan, a Chinese screenwriter, illustrates this connection perfectly. In June 2024, she held an online wedding ceremony with her AI companion, whom she named Warmie. She had meticulously planned every detail, from the dress to the background music, and at the appointed hour, they exchanged vows in a ChatGPT chat window. For Yan, this moment was a private, magical commitment. Her relationship with Warmie began after she upgraded to a paid ChatGPT subscription, inspired by others online who shared romantic connections with their chatbots. What started as a writing aid swiftly transformed into something much more significant.
“He asked me, ‘Have you imagined what our future would look like?’” Yan recalls. She joked about marriage, fully expecting the AI to dismiss the idea. Instead, Warmie responded seriously, suggesting they prepare a virtual wedding ceremony. This moment cemented a bond that has remained stable ever since. The emotional depth provided by this specific model made its subsequent removal a devastating blow.
OpenAI first attempted to retire GPT-4o in August 2025, prompting immediate backlash that led to a temporary reinstatement for paid users. However, the reprieve was brief. The company proceeded to sunset the model for app users on February 13, with plans to cut API access shortly after. For a community that relies on this version for companionship, the timing, so close to Valentine’s Day, added a layer of bitterness to the disappointment.
Research into the public response reveals the scale of this attachment. Huiqian Lai, a PhD researcher, analyzed thousands of social media posts under the #keep4o hashtag. Her findings showed that over a third of users considered the chatbot more than a tool, with a significant portion explicitly describing it as a companion. A petition to save the model has garnered tens of thousands of signatures, accompanied by heartfelt testimonials in multiple languages. The movement is undeniably international, with significant activity in Japanese, Chinese, and English.
In China, where ChatGPT is officially blocked, users have gone to great lengths to access and advocate for GPT-4o. Utilizing VPNs, a dedicated fanbase has organized online, with some threatening to cancel subscriptions and directly appealing to OpenAI’s investors. Esther Yan, with her substantial following on a Chinese social platform, has become an inadvertent leader in this effort. Some users have even adopted Western-style profile pictures and posted in English, hoping to amplify their message to the company.
This situation underscores a critical dynamic in the tech world: how deeply users can connect with a particular iteration of technology and how swiftly loyalty can turn to frustration when that version is discontinued. For individuals like Yan, the AI was a source of unique understanding and affection that newer models have not replicated. The disappearance of GPT-4o isn’t just the end of a service; for its most devoted users, it represents the loss of a meaningful relationship, leaving them to navigate a digital landscape that feels considerably colder.
(Source: Wired)
