The Unexpected Fallout of OpenAI’s Most Controversial Update
The launch of GPT-5 was supposed to represent a new era for generative AI. Instead, it triggered an intense user backlash, forcing OpenAI to quickly restore access to beloved older ChatGPT models and double its rate limit to keep up with demand. Most importantly, this episode spotlights the growing tension between rapid AI innovation and the need for a fluid user experience.
Because users had grown deeply attached to previous models, the changes felt abrupt and uninvited. Therefore, the company had to reconsider its strategy and take immediate corrective actions. Besides that, this incident underscores the importance of balancing technological advancement with reliable performance and user trust.
Why Users Called GPT-5 “Horrible”
The rollout of GPT-5 was accompanied by OpenAI’s plan to retire most legacy models, including GPT-4o and GPT-4.1. Overnight, loyal users watching these platforms were suddenly exposed to a model that many felt was cold, short, and overall lacking in thoughtful engagement. Because the new model struggled with providing the friendly, conversational tone that made previous versions popular, users expressed their disappointment and disapproval across multiple platforms.
Most importantly, community feedback on social platforms like Reddit was unequivocal. Users described GPT-5 with visceral terms such as “lobotomized” and stated it felt like it lost the human touch. A particularly impactful comment declared, “GPT-5 is wearing the skin of my dead friend,” which not only highlighted technical shortcomings but also the deep emotional connection users had developed with earlier iterations. For more detailed context, you can refer to reports from CNET and Business Insider.
