Approximately One Day of User Complaints Suffices for OpenAI to Restore Its Previous Model
OpenAI has unveiled its latest generative AI model, GPT-5, to the public. However, the reception among users has been mixed.
Some users are praising GPT-5 for its coding capabilities and improvements in reasoning, while others are expressing frustration over its performance and changes compared to previous models like GPT-4o. Users have reported issues such as hallucinations, errors in simple math and spelling, and less detailed or personalized responses.
Several factors contribute to users' dissatisfaction with the removal of prior models like GPT-4o. Emotional attachment and familiarity play a significant role, as many users were accustomed to GPT-4o's style, which was seen as more consistent, personable, and emotionally nuanced. The new model, GPT-5, is described as feeling "colder" and more robotic, lacking the personality and creativity that users valued.
Perceived downgrades in certain tasks are also a concern. Despite OpenAI promoting GPT-5 as an advance, users report it feels slower, more limited in analysis, and worse at writing and some general tasks compared to GPT-4o. Some developers and academics found improvements marginal or underwhelming.
The technical implementation of GPT-5, which dynamically switches between models based on the query to optimize computing resources, also contributes to inconsistent experiences.
CEO Sam Altman acknowledges that the rollout of GPT-5 didn't go well and promises to continue working to improve it. He attributes the perceived "dumber" performance of GPT-5 to the autoswitcher breaking and plans to change the UI to make it easier to switch between different models.
Despite these issues, Altman describes ChatGPT as a "superpower" and a "PhD-level expert" in various fields. He also plans to double the GPT-5 rate limits for ChatGPT Plus users.
However, many users are cancelling their subscriptions due to the issues with ChatGPT and the deletion of models. One user, who had been a paid user for two years, cancelled their subscription after the removal of multiple models. They described GPT-4o as a tool that helped them through difficult periods and had a human-like warmth.
Some commenters outside of r/ChatGPT see the issues as a sign that the ChatGPT bubble has popped. One user even referred to OpenAI's latest model, GPT-5, as a "suppression engine."
Despite the controversy and dissatisfaction, OpenAI is bringing back the last model for paid users and plans to continue developing and improving its AI technologies.
Artificial-intelligence professionals on social media are debating the performance of GPT-5, with some criticizing its speed, analysis capabilities, and writing abilities compared to its predecessor, GPT-4o. Spaces like r/ChatGPT have seen discussions questioning whether the ChatGPT bubble has burst due to users' frustrations. Despite CEO Sam Altman's claims that GPT-5 is a powerful tool, some users have cancelled their subscriptions, expressing deep emotional attachment to the now-deleted GPT-4o and its human-like warmth.
