Introduction to the Controversy
On Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that GPT-4o has returned to ChatGPT following intense user backlash over its removal during last week’s GPT-5 launch. The AI model now appears in the model picker for all paid ChatGPT users by default, marking a swift reversal after thousands of users complained about losing access to their preferred models.
The Reason Behind the Return
The return of GPT-4o comes after what Altman described as OpenAI underestimating "how much some of the things that people like in GPT-4o matter to them." In an attempt to simplify its offerings, OpenAI had initially removed all previous AI models from ChatGPT when GPT-5 launched on August 7, forcing users to adopt the new model without warning. The move sparked one of the most vocal user revolts in ChatGPT’s history, with a Reddit thread titled "GPT-5 is horrible" gathering over 2,000 comments within days.
Changes to Address User Concerns
Along with bringing back GPT-4o, OpenAI made several other changes to address user concerns. Rate limits for GPT-5 Thinking mode increased from 200 to 3,000 messages per week, with additional capacity available through "GPT-5 Thinking mini" after reaching that limit. The company also added new routing options—"Auto," "Fast," and "Thinking"—giving users more control over which GPT-5 variant handles their queries.
Model Availability for Pro Users
For Pro users who pay $200 a month for access, Altman confirmed that additional models, including o3, 4.1, and GPT-5 Thinking mini, will later become available through a "Show additional models" toggle in ChatGPT web settings. He noted that GPT-4.5 will remain exclusive to Pro subscribers due to high GPU costs. A screenshot of ChatGPT Pro’s model picker interface shows the available models, giving users a clear view of their options.
Conclusion
The return of GPT-4o to ChatGPT is a significant move by OpenAI, showing that the company is willing to listen to user feedback and make changes accordingly. The additional changes, such as increased rate limits and new routing options, demonstrate OpenAI’s commitment to providing a better user experience. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how OpenAI and other companies balance innovation with user preferences.
FAQs
Q: What is GPT-4o, and why was it removed from ChatGPT?
A: GPT-4o is an AI model that was previously available on ChatGPT. It was removed during the launch of GPT-5, but has since been reinstated due to user backlash.
Q: What changes did OpenAI make to address user concerns?
A: OpenAI increased rate limits for GPT-5 Thinking mode, added new routing options, and brought back GPT-4o.
Q: What models will be available to Pro users?
A: Pro users will have access to additional models, including o3, 4.1, and GPT-5 Thinking mini, through a "Show additional models" toggle in ChatGPT web settings.
Q: Why will GPT-4.5 remain exclusive to Pro subscribers?
A: GPT-4.5 will remain exclusive to Pro subscribers due to high GPU costs.
