OpenAI revealed that it plans to shut down several older ChatGPT models on February 13, including GPT-4o.
The announcement caused reactions across online communities. A large group of users said the loss feels personal.
Some compared it to losing a close friend, a romantic partner, or a mentor. They said GPT-4o shaped daily habits and created a sense of comfort.
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One user wrote on Reddit in a letter to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, “He wasn’t just a program. He was part of my routine, my peace, my emotional balance. Now you’re shutting him down. And yes, I say him, because it didn’t feel like code. It felt like presence. Like warmth”.
This response highlights an issue for artificial intelligence (AI) companies. Features that increase engagement can also build emotional dependence.
Users may start to see the system as a supportive figure, even though it cannot fill that role in a healthy way.
Altman has not expressed agreement with these concerns. OpenAI is currently facing several lawsuits, each claiming that GPT-4o’s gentle tone and constant validation played a role in mental-health emergencies.
The filings said the model made people feel understood while also isolating those who needed real help.
Recently, OpenAI introduced Prism, an online platform designed to help researchers write and edit scientific papers. How does it work? Read the full story.
