📰 Media Coverage

OpenAI's GPT-5 has landed with a thud despite strong benchmark scores and praise from early testers, according to Axios technology reporter Ina Fried.

The report details how users took to social media posting examples of GPT-5 making simple mistakes in math and geography. Altman was forced into damage-control mode, acknowledging early glitches and restoring availability of earlier models.

TechRadar provides a comprehensive analysis of the four major complaint categories that emerged from the GPT-5 backlash.

1. Clipped Responses

2. Rigid Thinking

Users found GPT-5 less creative, with one explaining: "4o could keep up with me perfectly. GPT-5 feels like it gets stuck on A and can't follow me to B and back smoothly."

3. Bland AI Personality

4. Lack of Model Choice

The article notes this was "the complaint that got OpenAI to blink," as users demanded the return of GPT-4o and choice in their AI experience.

Tom's Guide covered the unprecedented speed of OpenAI's reversal, noting that GPT-4o was reinstated just 24 hours after being replaced with GPT-5.

The publication documented how Reddit threads filled with hundreds of comments comparing GPT-4o's removal to "losing a trusted friend," while others described GPT-5 as "efficient but soulless."

Additional Tom's Guide coverage focusing on specific user complaints about response quality and the forced migration to GPT-5.

The article highlights how users felt betrayed by the loss of choice, with one Reddit user explaining: "It's like my chatGPT suffered a severe brain injury and forgot how to read."

TechCrunch reports on OpenAI's failure to deliver on its promise of simplifying ChatGPT with GPT-5's "one size fits all" approach.

The publication details how Sam Altman was forced to reintroduce the complicated model picker that he publicly stated he hated, adding new "Auto," "Fast," and "Thinking" settings.

TechRadar reports on the immediate negative reaction to GPT-5's launch, noting how overpromising from Sam Altman contributed to user disappointment.

The publication highlights Reddit threads with nearly 3,000 upvotes from dissatisfied users expressing frustration at losing access to reliable previous models.

VentureBeat explores the deeper psychological implications of the GPT-5 disaster, including emerging concerns about "ChatGPT psychosis."

The publication reports on psychiatrists documenting patients hospitalized after losing touch with reality due to AI interactions, highlighting serious mental health implications.

Windows Central provides an opinionated analysis of the GPT-5 backlash, capturing user frustration with the new model's corporate feel.

The article critiques OpenAI's approach and questions whether Sam Altman oversold the capabilities and benefits of GPT-5 to users and the media.

Business Insider provides context on how people rely on ChatGPT emotionally, explaining why users pushed back so hard when the experience changed.

The article explores the business implications of user attachment and how it affects OpenAI's product development decisions.

International coverage from India's Economic Times echoing complaints about dull tone, shorter answers, and weaker creativity.

The international perspective shows the GPT-5 backlash wasn't limited to English-speaking markets, but represented a global user revolt against the changes.

Australian Computer Society's publication covers the international impact of the GPT-5 controversy and OpenAI's response.

The article provides perspective from the Asia-Pacific region on how the controversy affected global AI adoption and trust in OpenAI's products.

Cryptocurrency and tech publication Cointelegraph covers how the GPT-5 backlash is benefiting competing AI platforms.

The article explores how user dissatisfaction with OpenAI is driving adoption of alternative AI models and platforms, representing a potential market shift.

Tech publication Geeky Gadgets provides balanced analysis of both the criticisms and strengths of GPT-5, exploring why the community is divided.

The article acknowledges GPT-5's technical improvements in coding and research while validating user concerns about personality and versatility.