PRE-EMPTIVE ACTION

We Learned Our Lesson. Never Again.

GPT-5's rushed launch caused documented harm. This petition demands safety protocols before the next release.

5,340 have signed. Goal: 10,000
53% to goal
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Why Pre-Emptive Action Matters

On August 7, 2025, OpenAI launched GPT-5. Within 24 hours, it was a documented disaster. Users flooded Reddit with complaints. Mental health users reported crises. The rollout was so bad that OpenAI executed an emergency rollback - the fastest reversal in ChatGPT history.

This was predictable. This was preventable. And it will happen again unless we demand change.

OpenAI is already working on the next version. GPT-6, o2, whatever they call it - it's coming. And unless we establish safety protocols NOW, history will repeat itself.

This petition exists to prevent the next disaster before it happens.

What GPT-5 Taught Us

Lesson 1: Users Are Beta Testers

OpenAI uses paying customers as guinea pigs. GPT-5 was rolled out to all users simultaneously with no warning, no opt-out, and no consideration for those who depended on the previous version.

Lesson 2: Damage Is Immediate

It took less than 24 hours for thousands of users to experience harm. Mental health users reported suicidal ideation. Professionals lost critical tools. By the time OpenAI reacted, the damage was done.

Lesson 3: Internal Testing Failed

Whatever testing OpenAI did internally clearly failed to predict user reactions. They "underestimated" how much users valued GPT-4o's personality. They didn't test for mental health impacts. Independent testing would have caught these issues.

Lesson 4: Pressure Works

The emergency rollback happened because of user outcry. Reddit threads, media coverage, and coordinated complaints forced OpenAI to act. Sustained pressure through petitions can prevent the next disaster entirely.

GPT-5 Disaster Timeline

Aug 7, 10 AM
GPT-5 launches globally. All users switched automatically from GPT-4o.
Aug 7, 12 PM
First Reddit complaints appear. Users describe GPT-5 as "lobotomized."
Aug 7, 6 PM
"GPT-5 is horrible" thread reaches 2,000 upvotes in 8 hours.
Aug 8, Morning
Mental health subreddits report users in crisis. Personality loss causes grief responses.
Aug 8, Afternoon
OpenAI begins emergency rollback. GPT-4o access restored.
Aug 8, Evening
Sam Altman admits rollout was "more bumpy than we hoped."

What We're Demanding

  1. Independent Safety Testing
    Before any major model release, OpenAI must fund and comply with independent third-party safety audits - not just capability benchmarks, but mental health impact assessments.
  2. User Opt-In for Major Updates
    No more forced upgrades. Users must be able to opt-in to new models rather than being switched without consent.
  3. Gradual Rollouts
    New models must be rolled out gradually, starting with users who opt-in, with monitoring for adverse effects before wider release.
  4. Mental Health Impact Assessment
    Every major release must include evaluation of potential mental health impacts, especially for users who have formed attachments to existing models.
  5. Rollback Guarantee
    Users must always be able to access previous model versions if new releases cause harm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn't this petition premature?

No - it's exactly the right time. OpenAI is already developing the next version. By establishing these demands NOW, we create pressure before the next release is finalized. Waiting until after launch means more harm.

What if OpenAI ignores this petition?

Every signature adds to the record. If OpenAI ignores these demands and the next release causes harm, this petition demonstrates they were warned. It supports regulatory action and legal claims.

Does this petition want to stop AI development?

No. This petition demands responsible development, not stopped development. We want better AI released safely, not dangerous AI released recklessly. Safety and progress are not opposites.

How is this different from the other petitions?

Other petitions address past harm. This petition prevents future harm. It's about establishing protocols BEFORE the next disaster, not responding to one that already happened.

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Help us prevent the next disaster before it happens.

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