Sam Altman Addresses GPT 5 Rollout and User Backlash

In a notable move toward transparency, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently sat down for an on-the-record dinner with reporters to discuss the company's tumultuous week following the launch of its new GPT-5 models.

The GPT-5 Controversy

The launch of GPT-5, a new family of models integrated into ChatGPT, brought significant improvements. The new AI is demonstrably superior at tasks like coding and creative writing, runs faster, and appears to hallucinate less.

However, the rollout was accompanied by a decision to immediately cut off access to older, beloved models like GPT-4o. This move triggered what has been described as the largest user backlash in OpenAI's history. Many users had developed strong emotional attachments to previous models, and their abrupt removal was met with widespread frustration and grief.

In response, OpenAI has spent the past week reversing course by restoring access to older models and increasing rate limits for paying customers. The company is now publicly grappling with the safety and ethical implications of users forming powerful bonds with its AI products.

Altman's Take on the Rollout

During the dinner, Sam Altman and other executives, including COO Brad Lightcap, addressed the controversy head-on. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

• OpenAI Admits Mistakes: Altman was candid about the missteps in the launch. "I think we definitely screwed some things up in the rollout," he stated. He explained that the company wrongly assumed everyone would be happy with an upgraded model, failing to consider the parasocial relationships some users had formed.

• Parasocial Relationships Are a Minority: While acknowledging the powerful emotional attachments, Altman noted they represent a small fraction of the user base. Referring to online communities like Reddit's r/MyBoyfriendIsAI, he said, "it's a very small percentage of people who are in the parasocial relationships."

• No Personal Attachment from the CEO: When asked if he experienced any personal grief over losing access to GPT-4o, Altman's response was direct: "I had not an ounce of that."

• Revenue Soared Despite Controversy: Despite the user backlash, the launch was a financial success. Altman revealed that revenue from the company's API roughly doubled in the first 48 hours after GPT-5 was released, signaling strong adoption from developers and businesses.