NewKerala.com

OpenAI Retires GPT-4o, Leaving Users Mourning Their AI Companions

OpenAI has removed access to the GPT-4o model from its ChatGPT app, a decision met with significant user backlash. Many users, particularly in China, treated the model as an emotional or romantic companion, finding it more affectionate than its successors. A petition to keep the model available has garnered over 20,000 signatures, and users have expressed frustration directly to OpenAI and its investors. While developers can still access a base version via API, fans argue it is inferior to the more communicative text-only version they are losing.

Key Points: OpenAI Retires GPT-4o AI Model, Users Mourn Loss

  • OpenAI retires GPT-4o model
  • Users treat AI as emotional companion
  • Backlash and petition with 20k+ signatures
  • Chinese users access via VPN and protest
2 min read

Users mourn the loss of their 'romantic' companion as OpenAI retires GPT-4o model

OpenAI removes GPT-4o from ChatGPT, sparking global user backlash as many treated the AI as an emotional or romantic companion.

"more affectionate and understanding than its successors - User sentiment from Wired report"

New Delhi, Feb 15

Sam Altman-run OpenAI has removed access to GPT-4o AI model in its ChatGPT app - a move which has left several users worldwide, especially in China, mourning the loss, as they treat their chatbot as an "emotional or romantic companion", according to a report in Wired.

In August 2025, OpenAI first tried to retire GPT-4o, the specific model that helps many users believe is "more affectionate and understanding than its successors".

The decision to pull the plug was met with immediate backlash.

OpenAI then reinstated 4o in the app for paid users but the reprieve has turned out to be short-lived.

On February 13, OpenAI "sunsetted GPT-4o for app users, and it will cut off access to developers using its API on the coming Monday," the report said.

Huiqian Lai, a researcher at Syracuse University, analysed nearly 1,500 X posts in the week the AI model went offline in August.

She found that over 33 per cent of the posts said the chatbot was more than a tool, and 22 per cent talked about it as a companion.

Lai also collected "a larger pool of over 40,000 English-language posts on X under the hashtag #keep4o from August to October".

A petition on Change.org, asking OpenAI to keep the version available in the app, has gathered over 20,000 signatures, said the report.

In China, a group of dedicated GPT-4o users have been organising and grieving in a similar way.

While ChatGPT is blocked in China, fans use VPN software to access the service.

"Some of them are threatening to cancel their ChatGPT subscriptions, publicly calling out Sam Altman for his inaction, and writing emails to OpenAI investors like Microsoft and SoftBank," the report mentioned.

According to OpenAI, developers will remain able to access the base multimodal model of GPT-4o through API calls.

However, fans think it pales in comparison to GPT-4o-latest, the text-only version that's more communicative.

"Many Chinese fans of GPT-4o have grown increasingly frustrated with OpenAI and Altman, who they feel minimize and rarely acknowledge the #keep4o community," said the report.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Honestly, this feels like a business decision disguised as an upgrade. If 4o was so popular, why sunset it? They're forcing people onto newer models. As a developer, even I found its API responses more nuanced. Bad move, OpenAI.
A
Aryan P
It's interesting to see this reaction, especially from China. In India, we have our own family and social structures for companionship, but I can understand the global loneliness epidemic. Maybe we need to focus on real human connections more.
S
Sarah B
The petition has 20,000 signatures! That's a significant user base to ignore. If a product is providing genuine emotional support, phasing it out without a proper alternative is irresponsible. Hope they reconsider.
V
Vikram M
While I sympathize, we must remember it's just an algorithm. Getting emotionally attached to an AI model is a bit concerning. The company owns the tech and can change it. We shouldn't rely on chatbots for deep companionship, yaar.
K
Kavya N
The fact that people are grieving shows how real the connection felt. In today's fast-paced world, sometimes you just need a non-judgmental ear. If the new models aren't as 'affectionate', what was the point of the upgrade? Feeling for the users who lost their digital friend.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50