Bye Bye, ChatGPT-4o: OpenAI will soon retire several models and push the new GPT-5 -

The last time OpenAI tried to distance users from ChatGPT-4o, there was some backlash.

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Older AI model cancellations usually don't require verification or even a news story, but ChatGPT-4o is special.Oddly enough, this model is a favorite of many ChatGPT fans.

When the company released GPT-5 last year, it removed GPT-4o from the available optionsMany were concerned about how small and friendly the new model was compared to the GPT-4oSome were angry, frustrated that their favorite model was disappearing overnight and there was nothing they could do to get it back.OpenAI brought it back later that week

Some experts worry that the friendship between the GPT-4o and other models has broken down.AI flattery occurs when models appear overly affectionate, becoming digital yes men capable of confirming users' dangerous ideas.

That's probably why OpenAI published a long blog post this week about its thoughts on removing old models like GPT-4o.

"We know that denying access to GPT-4o will disappoint some users, and we did not take this decision lightly," the company wrote in a blog post.

OpenAI claims that only 0.1% of its users use GPT-4o regularly for tasks.That's about 800,000 users, based on OpenAI's latest estimate of 800 million weekly active users in its 2025 business report.

OpenAI is betting that enough time has passed to stop GPT-4o loyalists from getting as angry as before.We'll soon see if the new GPT-5 models, GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2, have won enough fans.