GPT-4o supporters petition Sam Altman for its reintroduction
In the world of artificial intelligence, the introduction of a new model is always a significant event. However, the launch of GPT-5 by OpenAI has been met with a wave of negative and mixed reactions from users, particularly on Reddit.
The primary concerns revolve around performance issues, the loss of older models, user experience, stricter safety and limitations, and technical glitches. Users have reported GPT-5 as working poorly, sometimes seeming "dumber" than its predecessor, GPT-4o, due to malfunctions in the new automatic model switching feature. The removal or hiding of GPT-4o and other legacy models at GPT-5's launch has angered many, especially paying "Plus" subscribers who lost access to a variety of models they previously used.
GPT-5 is often described as "colder," "bland," or "businesslike," losing the personality, warmth, and quirky charm that many users loved in GPT-4o. This shift has led to emotional dissatisfaction; users felt GPT-4o was more of a "co-pilot" or companion, while GPT-5 feels more mechanical and less engaging.
Users have also criticized stricter safety rules and message limits, which many power users find restrictive compared to previous model access under the Plus plan. Comments range from calling GPT-5 a "disaster" or "massive downgrade" to frustrations over embarrassing failures in math and drawing tasks, leading to a sense that OpenAI’s leadership in generative AI may be faltering amid rising competitor models.
CEO Sam Altman has responded to these issues directly, explaining technical troubles and promising fixes. He has committed to restoring older models for paid users, improving model routing, increasing message limits, and making GPT-5 "warmer" and more reliable over time.
In a surprising turn of events, OpenAI brought back GPT-40 less than 24 hours after its discontinuation by GPT-5. Altman announced the return of ChatGPT-40 for Plus users, stating that its continuation depends on how many people use it. However, some users find the "flat" tone of GPT-5 and lack of creativity disturbing, but Altman has not directly addressed this criticism.
The cost of a Plus subscription at OpenAI is currently 23 euros per month. Several users have canceled their subscriptions due to dissatisfaction with the new bot. Despite the backlash, Altman remains optimistic, describing GPT-5 as a "PhD-level" expert with improved abilities in writing, programming, mathematics, and natural sciences.
OpenAI is also investing in research for controllability and has started a testing phase of various personalities. Altman stated that GPT-5 is more reliable and hallucinates less compared to GPT-4o. However, an update to GPT-40 was removed due to it being too agreeable, making it only suitable for short-term interactions.
In response to a user's comment comparing GPT-5 to wearing the skin of their "dead friend," GPT-40, Altman responded, stating that he is working on something regarding GPT-40. Users heavily criticized the new bot as uncreative and "lobotomized." Another user commented that the forced upgrade to GPT-5 and lack of option to choose old models is a "sneaky slap in the face."
As OpenAI continues to refine GPT-5 and work on the return of GPT-40, the community will be closely watching to see if these changes address their concerns and restore the warm, engaging, and reliable AI experience they once knew.
- Users on social media expressed concerns about the loss of older models, stricter safety rules, and technical glitches in the new GPT-5 model, criticizing it as less engaging and "colder" compared to its predecessor, GPT-4o.
- Some users have compared the new GPT-5 to wearing the skin of their "dead friend," GPT-4o, and have criticized OpenAI for removing GPT-40 abruptly at the launch of GPT-5.
- Critics have accused OpenAI of being heavy-handed in their approach to artificial intelligence, as the forced upgrade to GPT-5 and lack of option to choose older models has been met with frustration frommany users, leading to some canceling their subscriptions.
