OpenAI Retires GPT-4o: User Reactions and What to Expect
OpenAI announced it will retire the GPT-4o model, which gained popularity among users for its conversational tone, on February 13. The decision has led to disappointment among some paid subscribers.
A Beloved Model Says Goodbye
OpenAI, one of the leading companies in the artificial intelligence world, has announced that the popular language model GPT-4o will be deprecated. Starting February 13th, paid users of ChatGPT will no longer be able to access GPT-4o from the model selector menu. The model will continue to be accessible via the company's API.
The Scope of the Change and User Experience
According to OpenAI's statement, free users have already been unable to access GPT-4o since the launch of GPT-5 in August 2025. For paid subscribers, the transition is planned to be technically seamless. All chats made with GPT-4o before February 13th will not be lost, and users will be able to continue these conversations with different models. Furthermore, custom GPTs based on GPT-4o or models like GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini, which will also be retired on the same date, will automatically be migrated to the GPT-5.2 model.
The company stated that voice mode and image generation features will not be affected by this change, as these features are already supported by a different model. A similar technology transition also sheds light on the challenges in local AI experiences, as discussed in the news titled Local AI Experience on M1 Mac: Why the Expected Performance Was Not Achieved?.
User Reactions and the Company's Justification
The decision has caused disappointment among a user base that particularly preferred GPT-4o's warm and friendly conversational style. OpenAI had encountered a similar reaction when the model was temporarily removed following the launch of GPT-5 and had brought it back for some users.
The company explained the rationale for the decision as focusing resources on improving the models that most users prefer today. The statement indicated that only about 1% of ChatGPT users still interact with GPT-4o. However, some users argue that this percentage is calculated by considering the much larger free user base, which has no access to GPT-4o at all, and that the rate would be much higher if only subscribing users were taken as the base.
On internet forums and social media, campaigns have been observed to protest the decision and secure the model's stay. Such rapidly spreading AI tools and the accompanying community reactions show parallels with the news Moltbot AI Assistant is Spreading Rapidly, Security Concerns are on the Agenda.
Future Models and Personalization
OpenAI had introduced customizable presets like "professional," "friendly," and "eccentric" with new-generation models such as GPT-5.1 and 5.2. It is stated that this feature was developed to allow users to adjust the AI's tone and style according to their preferences. The company aims to make the user experience more customizable with such developments.
Developments in the field of smart wearable technology are also redefining user interaction. For example, plans like Samsung to Release Its First AR Glasses in 2026 and topics such as Meta Ray-Ban Glasses and Hidden Recording Debates bring along discussions about the balance between technology and privacy.
OpenAI's move is considered a reflection of the rapid evolution in the AI ecosystem. As companies transition to more advanced models, they have to manage the user base accustomed to older technologies and take their feedback into account.
