OpenAI’s GPT-5 Rollout Faced Backlash as Old Models Were Retired

OpenAI’s GPT-5 rollout faced backlash from users who were upset that older models (GPT-4o) were being retired, despite GPT-5 performing better in most ways.
In response to criticism, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman announced that rate limits for ChatGPT Plus users would be doubled and the 40 model would continue to be used.
GPT-5 is a major upgrade over previous AI systems, offering faster performance, increased accuracy, and reduced hallucination rates, according to OpenAI executives.
The new GPT-5 model features four chat personalities: Cynic, Robot, Listener, and Nerd, which can be customized by users in the ChatGPT settings.
Despite initial backlash, GPT-5 is now available for free on Cursor, with plans to generate $20 billion in revenue by the end of 2025 as OpenAI prepares to raise $40 billion this year.

IBL News | New York

OpenAI’s last upgrade to GPT-5 rollout faced backlash for retiring older models among users. OpenAI acknowledged that it underestimated users’ affection for the older GPTs, even if GPT-5 performs better in most ways.

In response to the critics, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, announced that rate limits for ChatGPT Plus users would be doubled and would continue to use the 4o model.

GPT-5 rollout updates:

*We are going to double GPT-5 rate limits for ChatGPT Plus users as we finish rollout.

*We will let Plus users choose to continue to use 4o. We will watch usage as we think about how long to offer legacy models for.

*GPT-5 will seem smarter starting…

— Sam Altman (@sama) August 8, 2025

Wanted to provide more updates on the GPT-5 rollout and changes we are making heading into the weekend.

1. We for sure underestimated how much some of the things that people like in GPT-4o matter to them, even if GPT-5 performs better in most ways.

2. Users have very different…

— Sam Altman (@sama) August 8, 2025

Previously, ChatGPT could tap into several different AI models, including GPT‑4o, o3, o4-mini, GPT‑4.1, and GPT‑4.5. But OpenAI has since replaced them with a family of GPT-5 models.

On Thursday, OpenAI unveiled a new flagship AI model, GPT-5, and began sharing the technology with ChatGPT users worldwide.

OpenAI executives called GPT-5 a “major upgrade” over their AI systems, saying the new technology was faster, more accurate, and less likely to hallucinate.

“GPT-5 is the first time that it feels like talking to an expert in any topic — a Ph.D.-level expert,” said OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman.

Also, it was the first time that OpenAI has used a reasoning model to power the free version of ChatGPT.

Experts agreed on the fact that the technology feels more human than previous models.

Sam Altman called the system a “significant step” along the path to the ultimate goal of the company and its rivals: artificial general intelligence, or AGI, a machine that can do anything the human brain can do.

GPT-5’s launch arrives in a moment when OpenAI, which is not yet profitable, plans to raise $40 billion this year, while being on pace to generate revenues of $20 billion by the end of 2025.

GPT-5 is now available in Cursor. It’s the most intelligent coding model our team has tested.

We’re launching it for free for the time being. Enjoy!

— Cursor (@cursor_ai) August 7, 2025

GPT-5 has 4 new chat personalities: Cynic, Robot, Listener, Nerd.

Find them in Customize ChatGPT in settings.

Research preview. Text-only. Opt-in. Change anytime.

Written by Robot in GPT-5. pic.twitter.com/XxyWYNYxHt

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) August 7, 2025

GPT-5 is here.

Rolling out to everyone starting today.https://t.co/rOcZ8J2btI pic.twitter.com/dk6zLTe04s

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) August 7, 2025

link

Q. What was the reason for OpenAI’s GPT-5 rollout facing backlash?

A. The rollout faced backlash because older models were retired, which led to users expressing their affection for the older GPTs.

Q. How did OpenAI respond to the critics of the GPT-5 rollout?

A. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, announced that rate limits for ChatGPT Plus users would be doubled and that the 40 model would continue to be used.

Q. What is the main difference between GPT-5 and older models like GPT-4o?

A. GPT-5 performs better in most ways than older models, but it also has new chat personalities and a reasoning model that makes it feel more human-like.

Q. Why did OpenAI decide to retire older models like GPT-4o?

A. OpenAI underestimated how much users liked the features of older models, even if they perform less well than GPT-5 in some ways.

Q. What is the ultimate goal of OpenAI and its rivals with their AI systems?

A. The ultimate goal is to create artificial general intelligence (AGI), a machine that can do anything the human brain can do.

Q. How much money does OpenAI plan to raise this year?

A. OpenAI plans to raise $40 billion this year, while being on pace to generate revenues of $20 billion by the end of 2025.

Q. What is GPT-5 available in?

A. GPT-5 is now available in Cursor, and it’s also free for the time being.

Q. How many new chat personalities does GPT-5 have?

A. GPT-5 has four new chat personalities: Cynic, Robot, Listener, and Nerd.

Q. When did GPT-5 start rolling out to users?

A. GPT-5 started rolling out to users on August 7, 2025.

Q. What is the significance of GPT-5 according to OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman?

A. According to Sam Altman, GPT-5 is a significant step along the path to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI).