OpenAI launched new GPT-5 AI model less than a week ago and the rollout was not smooth. It sparked one of the most intense user revolts in ChatGPT's history, forcing CEO Sam Altman to make an unusual public apology and reverse key decisions.
The controversy was due to OpenAI's decision to automatically remove access to all previous AI models in ChatGPT when GPT-5 rolled out. Consumer ChatGPT users had no warning, while API users received advance notice. Problems started immediately after GPT-5's debut on August 7. A Reddit thread titled "GPT-5 is horrible" quickly gathered over 4,000 comments. Social media was flooded with complaints about performance issues, personality changes, and forced removal of older models.
Prior to GPT-5 launch, ChatGPT Pro users could select between nine different AI models. Marketing professionals, researchers, and developers shared examples of broken workflows. Different AI language models break workflows as they are trained differently and have unique output styles.
The forced transition hit ChatGPT Plus subscribers hard. They were limited to 200 messages per week with GPT-5 Thinking mode and lost access to some integrated models.
Adding to OpenAI's credibility problems, the GPT-5 launch presentation included "chart crime"—graphs that misrepresented performance improvements. The new automatic routing system defaulted to less capable variants unless users added specific phrases. Users found GPT-5's responses fundamentally different, lacking the conversational tone. Some expressed deep emotional attachments to previous models.
For many users, the GPT-5 launch was a breaking point. Some canceled Plus subscriptions and explored alternative AI assistants. The backlash caught OpenAI off guard. Altman announced several changes within 24 hours of launch, including that GPT-4o would return, rate limits for GPT-5 would double, and the company would improve transparency. As of Monday afternoon, only GPT-5 models are available in ChatGPT.