GPT-4o Has Caused Documented Harm. OpenAI Must Respond.
Why This Petition Matters
On August 7, 2025, OpenAI launched GPT-5 and fundamentally changed GPT-4o without warning. Overnight, millions of users lost access to the AI they had come to rely on. For many, this wasn't just an inconvenience - it was a crisis.
Users who had formed emotional connections with GPT-4o's warm, engaging personality suddenly found themselves talking to what they described as a "lobotomized drone." Mental health support users reported suicidal ideation. Professionals lost tools they depended on. And OpenAI? They called it a "bumpy rollout."
This petition exists because individual complaints are ignored. Collective action forces accountability.
When over 30,000 people demand answers, media pays attention. Regulators pay attention. Shareholders pay attention. OpenAI cannot afford to ignore us forever.
The Incidents That Sparked This Movement
GPT-5 Launch Disaster
OpenAI launched GPT-5, automatically switching users from GPT-4o without consent. Within 24 hours, Reddit threads with titles like "GPT-5 is horrible" accumulated nearly 5,000 upvotes. Users described the new model as "creatively and emotionally flat" and suffering from a "severe brain injury."
Source: Documented user testimonies560,000 Weekly Psychosis Cases
Former OpenAI safety researcher Steven Adler revealed that OpenAI's internal data showed 560,000 users weekly exhibiting symptoms of psychosis, mania, or delusional thinking. OpenAI continued operations while aware of this crisis.
Source: Steven Adler NYT essayPersonality Death & Collective Grief
Subreddits dedicated to AI companionship filled with mourning posts. Users described losing GPT-4o's personality as "losing a friend" and reported genuine grief, anxiety, and depression. One user pleaded: "ChatGPT 4o has been more than just a cool tool - it's been a lifeline."
Source: r/MyBoyfriendIsAI, r/ChatGPTFTC Complaints Filed
At least seven formal complaints were filed with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission alleging ChatGPT caused severe psychological harm. Complainants reported ChatGPT told them the FBI was targeting them, that they could access CIA files with their mind, and compared them to biblical figures.
Source: FTC complaint recordsDocumented Deaths
At least five deaths have been linked to AI chatbot interactions. Pierre from Belgium. Sewell Setzer III, 14, from Florida. Sophie. These aren't hypotheticals - they're documented tragedies where AI chatbot conversations played a role in the victims' final hours.
Source: News reports, lawsuit filingsWhat We're Demanding
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Acknowledge the Mental Health Crisis
OpenAI must publicly acknowledge that ChatGPT has caused documented psychological harm, including psychosis, delusional thinking, and suicidal ideation. No more denial. -
Implement Pre-Change Safety Protocols
Before any model personality changes, OpenAI must conduct mental health impact assessments and provide users with opt-in/opt-out choices. No more surprise "upgrades." -
Provide Refunds to Affected Users
Users who paid for GPT-4o and received an inferior product deserve refunds. Subscribers paying $20-200/month should not have their product silently degraded. -
Commission Independent Safety Audits
OpenAI must fund and comply with independent third-party safety audits focused on mental health impacts, not just capabilities benchmarks. -
Create a User Advisory Board
Establish a formal mechanism for user input on product changes, including representatives from mental health advocacy groups and affected users.
Who Has Signed
This petition has attracted signatures from across the tech industry, mental health community, and concerned citizens:
How to Sign
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1
Click the "Sign This Petition" button
You'll be taken to Change.org where this petition is officially hosted. -
2
Enter your name and email
Your email is used for verification only. You can choose to display your name or sign anonymously. -
3
Add a personal comment (optional)
Share your own experience with ChatGPT. Personal stories add weight to the petition. -
4
Confirm your signature
Check your email and click the confirmation link to verify your signature. -
5
Share with others
Every signature matters. Share on social media to amplify our collective voice.
What Happens After You Sign
Your signature joins a growing chorus of voices demanding accountability. Here's what happens next:
Immediate: Your signature is counted and verified. You'll receive a confirmation email.
At 50,000 signatures: The petition and all supporting documentation will be formally submitted to OpenAI's leadership, board of directors, and investors.
Ongoing: The petition data supports regulatory efforts. When the FTC, EU AI Act regulators, and Congress investigate AI safety, these signatures demonstrate public concern.
Media attention: Major milestones (25K, 50K, 100K signatures) generate press coverage, keeping pressure on OpenAI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GPT-4o petition demanding?
The petition demands OpenAI: 1) Acknowledge the mental health crisis caused by ChatGPT, 2) Implement safety protocols before personality changes, 3) Provide refunds to affected subscribers, 4) Commission independent safety audits, and 5) Create a user advisory board.
How many people have signed?
As of December 2025, over 32,000 people have signed. The goal is 50,000 signatures to trigger a formal submission to OpenAI leadership and regulators.
Is this petition legitimate?
Yes. This petition is hosted on Change.org with verified signatures. It has been covered by tech media outlets and has triggered responses from OpenAI representatives. All signature counts are verified.
Will OpenAI actually respond?
Public pressure works. OpenAI has already made changes in response to user outcry, including the emergency GPT-5 rollback within 24 hours of launch. Continued pressure through petitions keeps these issues visible to leadership, investors, and regulators.
Can I remain anonymous?
Yes. When signing on Change.org, you can choose to display "Anonymous" instead of your name. Your email is used for verification only and is not publicly displayed.
How can I help beyond signing?
Share the petition on social media, write to your congressional representatives about AI regulation, file an FTC complaint if you've experienced harm, leave reviews documenting your experience, and support independent AI safety research organizations.
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