OpenAI Restores GPT-4o Amidst User Backlash
In a striking turnaround, OpenAI has decided to reinstate its popular older AI models, including the beloved GPT-4o, after facing a severe backlash from its user base. The announcement came from CEO Sam Altman, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to communicate several significant changes aimed at appeasing a dissatisfied customer base.
The uproar was triggered by the launch of GPT-5, which OpenAI touted as their most powerful AI model yet. However, the rollout did not go as planned. Many paying subscribers, accustomed to the flexibility of choosing between older models such as GPT-4o, felt cornered by the mandatory upgrade to GPT-5. This development disrupted established workflows that expertly utilized different models based on specific strengths, leading to widespread user dissatisfaction.
Altman confirmed that OpenAI misjudged its user base's needs and preferences. Addressing the growing discontent, he announced the return of older models and increased usage limits for subscribers. "It's back! Go to settings and pick 'show legacy models'," he reassured users, indicating GPT-4o's reinstatement, although GPT-5 would remain the default model.
The CEO also cited a marked increase in the daily usage of reasoning models, noting a significant uptick from 7% to 24% among Plus users. He acknowledged the importance of raising rate limits to accommodate this surge: "I expect use of reasoning to greatly increase over time, so rate limit increases are important."
In efforts to win back dissatisfied clients, Altman promised a substantial increase in the allowance for GPT-5's most powerful features. Plus users, for instance, would now enjoy up to 3000 queries per week, a marked improvement over previous limits.
"More transparency" was another promise made by Altman. He stated that UI changes would soon take place, allowing users to see which model is responding to their queries. Additionally, a detailed blog post is expected, explaining how OpenAI plans to handle capacity tradeoffs.
Ultimately, this unexpected user revolt managed to capture OpenAI's attention, pushing the tech giant to reverse its course. In doing so, the company has acknowledged the potent force of a loyal community unwilling to be sidelined.
