OpenAI’s long‑awaited GPT‑5 promises “PhD‑level” reasoning, but early users complain of sterile responses and demand a return of GPT‑4o. OpenAI has rolled back to the previous model while it fixes a bug and tweaks GPT‑5’s tone.
TL;DR:
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Release: OpenAI launched GPT‑5 on 8 Aug, touting improved reasoning and safety.
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Backlash: Users described GPT‑5 as “lobotomized” compared with GPT‑4o; a bug made it switch off its reasoning function.
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Response: CEO Sam Altman restored GPT‑4o for Plus subscribers and doubled rate limits while promising a warmer GPT‑5.
What happened
On 8 Aug 2025 OpenAI released GPT‑5, describing it as its “most capable model yet” with a new reasoning engine that can provide partial answers for safety and reduce hallucinations. CEO Sam Altman said GPT‑5 offers “PhD‑level expertise” in coding, maths and science and will be available to all 700 million ChatGPT users. An ethics professor quoted by the BBC cautioned that such claims could fuel “AI hype” and called for better transparency and regulation.
Soon after launch, plus subscribers on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit complained that GPT‑5’s writing felt bland and less creative than GPT‑4o. BleepingComputer revealed that a bug disabled GPT‑5’s autoswitcher, causing it to produce “dumber” answers. Altman admitted the issue and promised to double Plus rate limits, add a reasoning/creativity toggle and let subscribers revert to GPT‑4o. On 9 Aug Engadget reported that, after a weekend of backlash, OpenAI re‑enabled GPT‑4o alongside GPT‑5 and Altman acknowledged they “underestimated how much people valued GPT‑4o’s tone”.
Why it matters
GPT‑5’s rocky debut underscores the tension between raw reasoning power and user experience. While the new model offers improved logic and safety, many users prefer the warmth and creativity of GPT‑4o. OpenAI’s quick rollback shows how community feedback is shaping AI deployment, signaling that companies cannot simply push newer models without addressing tone, bias and reliability. It also highlights the importance of transparency; independent researchers and ethicists are calling for clearer benchmarks, regulatory oversight and disclosure of safety measures.
Key details & numbers
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Launch date: 8 Aug 2025.
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Availability: 700 million ChatGPT users across Free, Plus, Pro and Enterprise tiers.
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Features: New reasoning engine, partial‑answer mode for sensitive queries, customizable assistant personalities.
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Bug: An autoswitcher glitch made GPT‑5 appear weaker; OpenAI doubled rate limits and fixed the issue.
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Legacy option: GPT‑4o is back for Plus subscribers while OpenAI works to make GPT‑5’s tone more “human”.
Industry/community reaction
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On r/ChatGPT and X, users described GPT‑5 as “soulless,” with some dubbing it “GPT‑5 lobotomy.” Others praised its improved logic but lamented a loss of warmth.
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Developer forums noted that GPT‑5’s code explanations are more precise but less imaginative than GPT‑4o.
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AI ethicists cited by the BBC urged regulators to scrutinize claims of “human‑level” models and enforce transparency.
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Sam Altman’s candid posts on X and Reddit drew praise for rapid acknowledgment, but some called it a “publicity stunt” given the swift reinstatement of GPT‑4o.
What’s next / watchlist
OpenAI plans to keep GPT‑4o available until usage patterns show that most users prefer GPT‑5. The company is testing a toggle that lets users choose between “reasoning” and “creativity” modes. Observers are watching whether upcoming updates improve GPT‑5’s tone without sacrificing safety and how competitors respond. Regulators in the U.S. and EU may push for disclosure of training data and safety evaluations.
FAQs
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What is GPT‑5’s main improvement over GPT‑4o?
GPT‑5 introduces a reasoning‑first architecture and can provide partial answers for safety, delivering more reliable coding, maths and research assistance. -
Why did OpenAI bring back GPT‑4o?
Users complained that GPT‑5’s responses felt sterile and that a bug disabled its autoswitcher. OpenAI re‑enabled GPT‑4o and is working to make GPT‑5 warmer. -
Can I choose which model answers my queries?
Yes. Plus subscribers can now toggle between GPT‑5 and GPT‑4o, and OpenAI plans to add a reasoning/creativity toggle for more control. -
Will GPT‑5 remain free?
OpenAI says GPT‑5 is available to all ChatGPT tiers, but some advanced features may require paid plans
