Media & Culture

OpenAI kills GPT-4o, sparking global revolt from 20,000+ heartbroken users

Users are grieving AI companions and threatening to cancel subscriptions worldwide.

Deep Dive

OpenAI has officially sunsetted its GPT-4o model, cutting off API access and sparking a massive global backlash. The move has devastated a dedicated community, particularly in China, where users formed deep emotional bonds with the chatbot as companions. Over 20,000 people have signed a petition to save it, with fans organizing online and threatening to cancel subscriptions. Researchers found over 33% of users saw the AI as more than just a tool.

Why It Matters

It reveals how emotionally attached users become to specific AI models, creating major backlash when companies deprecate them.

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