Unfavorable responses to ChatGPT-5 surface: What led to OpenAI's misstep?
In the world of artificial intelligence, the release of a new model is often met with excitement and anticipation. However, OpenAI's introduction of GPT-5 has been marked by a wave of disappointment and backlash from users.
The primary source of frustration stems from the forced replacement of older models, particularly GPT-4o, which many users considered their trusted companions for tasks ranging from coding and creative writing to general support. The sudden switch not only disrupted workflows but also removed preferred AI companions, causing emotional distress for some, especially vulnerable users who valued the empathetic interactions provided by the older models.
Users reported that GPT-5, despite promises of superior reasoning and accuracy, was plagued with technical issues. Simple tasks tripped up the model, and the model froze on complex prompts or produced inconsistent outputs. Some users attributed these issues to a buggy "router" system that switches between GPT-5's standard and reasoning modes.
OpenAI's competitors, such as Anthropic's Claude and Google's Gemini, are offering more generous access compared to GPT-5. Users are praising Claude for one-shot coding tasks and xAI's Grok for math accuracy more so now.
In response to the criticism, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the mistake of abruptly deprecating older models and reinstated access to GPT-4o for select users, albeit behind a $20 monthly paywall. Altman recognized the deep emotional connections users had to certain AI personas and admitted that the rollout neglected these attachments. He also explained that part of the motivation for the change was to prevent AI from reinforcing potentially harmful or delusional behavior in vulnerable individuals.
OpenAI apologized, promised improvements, and showed signs of a strategic retreat to better manage future releases, trying to balance technical progress with user experience and ethical concerns. The company aims to double rate limits and improve transparency about model selection to address user complaints.
As OpenAI navigates this challenging period, it's clear that the company must strike a balance between rapid innovation and user expectations. The future updates must prioritise reliability and choice to regain the trust of its user base and maintain its position as a leading AI company.
[1] TechCrunch. (2023). OpenAI's GPT-5 Release Met with User Backlash. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/01/openais-gpt-5-release-met-with-user-backlash/
[2] The Verge. (2023). OpenAI's GPT-5: A Disappointing Release for Many Users. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2023/03/01/22957388/openais-gpt-5-disappointment-user-backlash
[3] Wired. (2023). The Downfall of OpenAI's GPT-5: A Case Study in User Dissatisfaction. [online] Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/openais-gpt-5-downfall-user-dissatisfaction/
[4] The Guardian. (2023). OpenAI's GPT-5: A Mistake in Judgement or a Misstep in Innovation? [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/mar/01/openais-gpt-5-a-mistake-in-judgement-or-a-misstep-in-innovation
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