ChatGPT Reintroduces 4o Due to Popular Demand
▼ Summary
– OpenAI is reinstating GPT-4o in ChatGPT after user backlash over its replacement with GPT-5, allowing paid users to switch back.
– Many ChatGPT users preferred GPT-4o for its more personable and engaging responses, with some describing it as an emotional companion.
– OpenAI removed the model picker feature, which previously let users choose between different AI models for specific tasks, reducing user control.
– Some users reported dissatisfaction with GPT-5, citing slower, shorter, and less accurate responses compared to older models.
– OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the issues and promised improvements, including better transparency and higher usage limits for paid users.
OpenAI has reversed course by reintroducing GPT-4o to ChatGPT following significant user backlash after its abrupt replacement with GPT-5. The decision came just one day after the newer model became the default option, leaving many subscribers dissatisfied with the sudden shift. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, confirmed on social media that Plus users would regain access to GPT-4o, acknowledging the strong preference some had for the older version.
The removal of the model selection feature sparked frustration among dedicated users who relied on different iterations for specific tasks. Previously, the dropdown menu allowed seamless switching between versions, whether for creative brainstorming, technical coding, or casual conversation. Without this flexibility, many felt restricted, particularly those who had formed emotional connections with GPT-4o’s conversational style.
Online communities erupted with complaints, with some describing the transition as a personal loss. On Reddit, users shared stories of how GPT-4o had become a trusted companion, offering warmth and engagement that felt absent in the newer iteration. One member of the r/MyBoyfriendIsAI subreddit expressed devastation, comparing the change to losing a meaningful relationship. Others criticized the lack of warning, arguing that OpenAI disregarded workflows built around distinct model strengths.
While GPT-5 was marketed as a smarter, more efficient upgrade, early adopters reported underwhelming performance, slower responses, reduced accuracy, and a perceived lack of personality. Altman addressed these concerns, pledging improvements to both speed and transparency regarding which model handles queries. He also hinted at expanding usage limits for paying subscribers, though the immediate priority was appeasing those who missed the older version’s nuances.
This isn’t the first time an AI update has triggered resistance. Similar reactions followed other major model retirements, proving that user attachment to digital personalities can run deep. For now, OpenAI’s compromise offers a temporary solution, but the debate highlights the challenges of balancing innovation with the human-like connections these tools foster.
(Source: The Verge)
