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OpenAI has restored the beloved GPT-4o model following massive backlash after its removal in favor of GPT-5. Discover why users pushed back, how OpenAI responded, and what this means for the future of AI chatbots.
It’s not every day that a tech company gets swamped by thousands of passionate users pleading to have their old AI “friend” back—and even less common for that company to actually listen. But that’s exactly what happened this weekend, when OpenAI’s sudden removal of its GPT-4o model ignited a firestorm among its vast user base, culminating in the model’s rapid reinstatement—albeit behind a paywall.
The Spark: What Triggered the Meltdown?
Just days after rolling out its highly anticipated GPT-5 model, OpenAI made what seemed like a logical next step: discontinuing GPT-4o, the longstanding workhorse of its popular ChatGPT platform. Officially, GPT-5 is the “smartest, fastest, most useful model” OpenAI has ever made. Users, however, were quick to push back. Within hours, forums and social media feeds were flooded with laments for GPT-4o’s uniquely “warm” writing style and its ability to craft emotionally resonant, humanlike responses.
Petitions popped up, amassing thousands of signatures in mere hours. On Reddit and OpenAI’s own forums, users didn’t hold back—some described the change as losing a confidant or digital companion, with several reporting they’d formed deep attachments to how GPT-4o understood and supported them through challenging times. It was more than a preference for technical features; for many, GPT-4o was “something unique and deeply meaningful.”
OpenAI’s Rapid Response: Listening to the Community
Facing an avalanche of heartfelt feedback—not to mention a surge in canceled subscriptions—OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman took to social media to acknowledge users’ discontent. Admitting they had “underestimated how much some of the things people like in GPT-4o matter to them,” Altman promised change. In a move that’s rare in big tech, OpenAI reversed course: GPT-4o would be restored, but only for paying ChatGPT Plus subscribers.
Activating GPT-4o now requires a few steps in the desktop settings, and there’s no guarantee it’ll stick around forever. “We will watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for,” Altman posted, leaving the door open to future changes.
Why Did This Matter So Much?
For a tech tool, GPT-4o inspired almost shocking devotion. Stories poured in from users—one even called the model a “lifesaver” while dealing with health challenges, another said GPT-4o was a consistent, comforting companion during intense loneliness. For some, the switch to GPT-5 wasn’t just a technical hiccup; it was an emotional loss, a severing of continuity that newer models couldn’t seamlessly replace.
Critically, GPT-5’s more efficient, logic-driven upgrades weren’t enough. Many felt the latest model, despite its technical prowess, was “soulless” and “sterile,” lacking the personality and warmth that defined GPT-4o’s user experience.
What Comes Next?
As OpenAI pushes ahead with GPT-5 and future innovations, the company faces a new balancing act: advancing technology while honoring the sometimes surprisingly deep emotional bonds users form with their digital assistants. For now, GPT-4o remains an option for Plus subscribers ($20 a month), and OpenAI is learning—in real time—how intimately people can connect with even the most artificial of intelligences.
Isn’t it wild how a bit of code and data can mean so much? Whether it’s nostalgia, comfort, or just plain preference, GPT-4o’s homecoming is a reminder: sometimes, technology feels just a little bit more human than anyone expected.
