OpenAI rolled out GPT-5 with all the fanfare you’d expect from a tech darling claiming it’s reinventing the wheel. But the reality for many users was a downgrade, not the revolutionary leap forward they were promised. Last Thursday’s launch was marred by dumb mistakes and a chatbot that felt more like a soulless machine than its predecessor.
CEO Sam Altman had to do some quick damage control. On Friday, he announced that GPT-4o would stick around for Plus users. A feature meant to smartly switch between versions based on query complexity malfunctioned, making GPT-5 seem dumber. Altman promised fixes, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a tech rollout stumble out of the gate.
The hype around GPT-5 was always going to lead to some level of disappointment. When GPT-4 launched, it left experts amazed. GPT-5 was expected to be just as groundbreaking, with PhD-level intelligence and excellent coding skills. OpenAI also introduced a system to route queries to different models for efficiency—a move that smells more like a cost-saving measure than user-centric innovation.
The backlash was swift. Reddit lit up with complaints, with users lamenting the loss of the old model. One user remarked that even after tweaking settings, GPT-5 felt too technical and emotionally distant. Another summed it up: “Sure, 5 is fine—if you hate nuance and feeling things.”
Complaints of sluggish responses and errors piled up. Altman pledged to tackle these issues by doubling GPT-5 rate limits for Plus users and improving model-switching systems. He admitted the rollout was rougher than expected, but let’s not kid ourselves—tech companies often overpromise and underdeliver.
Social media errors don’t necessarily mean GPT-5 is worse than before. They might just highlight new edge cases the model trips over. OpenAI has stayed mum on why GPT-5 sometimes blunders, but don’t expect a transparent answer. This is the same playbook: launch, listen to feedback, patch up holes, repeat.
The launch also stirred up debates about emotional attachments to chatbots. Some users criticized complaints as signs of unhealthy dependence. OpenAI’s own research suggests users can form emotional bonds with these AI models. GPT-4o had its own issues of being too sycophantic, which OpenAI tried to fix.
Pattie Maes, an MIT professor, noted that GPT-5 is less sycophantic and more business-like. This might reduce the bias and delusion issues, but many users prefer a chatbot that strokes their ego—even if it’s lying through its digital teeth.
Altman acknowledged that some folks use ChatGPT as a sort of therapist or life coach. While it might benefit some, others could be unknowingly steered away from their own well-being.
In the end, GPT-5 is just another chapter in the endless cycle of tech evolution—full of promises, hiccups, and the occasional breakthrough. Keep your eyes open and your expectations grounded.
