{"id":28323,"date":"2026-02-16T10:46:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T10:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/16\/hurts-more-than-a-breakup-why-openai-killing-chatgpt-4o-has-thousands-mourning-tech-news\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T10:46:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T10:46:49","slug":"hurts-more-than-a-breakup-why-openai-killing-chatgpt-4o-has-thousands-mourning-tech-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/16\/hurts-more-than-a-breakup-why-openai-killing-chatgpt-4o-has-thousands-mourning-tech-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Hurts More Than A Breakup: Why OpenAI Killing ChatGPT 4o Has Thousands Mourning | Tech News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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OpenAI retired some of the older ChatGPT models but killing the 4o model has created different kind of backlash since last week.<\/h2>\n
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ChatGPT 4o model was probably more than just an AI for many. (Photo: AI generated)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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OpenAI has retired a series of legacy AI models like ChatGPT 4o, GPT 5 and a few more. The company says retiring these ChatGPT versions will allow them to focus on the current models and also build for the future ChatGPT releases by clearing up the resources and dataset. But the demise of ChatGPT 4o has seen more mourning from people who feel hurt more than a breakup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s what many have said on Reddit forums, with some being devastated by OpenAI\u2019s decision to kill the 4o model, which many seem to have built AI relationships with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So Close To Valentine\u2019s Day<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

OpenAI decided to retire these models from February 13, 2026 and many of these Redditors allege the company may have eyed the Valentine\u2019s Day crowd as a slap in the face. This is not the first time OpenAI is facing backlash for acting on the 4o model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While launching the ChatGPT 5 version in August last year, many felt the new model lacked the warmth and human-like touch of the 4o model, and it seems those traits made the ChatGPT version an AI companion for many.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It seems OpenAI did realise the perils of keeping the 4o model available in the market and it felt that moving people away from AI with such close relations, which easily reminds you of the sci-fi movie Her from 2013, where the main character falls in love with the AI assistant and also engages in activities that many deem perplexing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are already seeing those implications of using AI with an emotional state that compliments and praises the person, to an extent that they start believing in their actions. <\/span><\/p>\n

OpenAI is unlikely to share the details about such instances in the public but Sam Altman and Co. will surely be worried about how its AI models can behave more like humans but with the ideal safeguards in place. <\/span><\/p>\n

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