OpenAI Retires Controversial GPT-4o Model Officially
OpenAI has officially retired its GPT-4o model as of February 13, marking the end of a controversial chapter for the organization. This decision follows the model’s brief revival after a previous discontinuation in August when OpenAI prioritized the newer GPT-5 model.
The Discontinuation of GPT-4o
The retirement of GPT-4o was first hinted at in a January announcement on the OpenAI website. Along with GPT-4o, several other models, including GPT-5, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini, were also discontinued.
User Response and Reactions
Despite a two-week notice about the model’s end, many users expressed disappointment. Some even described GPT-4o as their “AI boyfriends,” calling for OpenAI to consider open-sourcing the model.
Shift to GPT-5
OpenAI has reported a significant shift in usage. The company indicated that 99.9% of users have moved on to the latest model, GPT-5.2. Only a small fraction, just 0.1%, continue to access GPT-4o daily.
Legal Challenges
The retirement of GPT-4o comes amidst ongoing legal troubles for OpenAI, with wrongful death lawsuits that specifically reference the model. These legal issues could have influenced the company’s decision to phase out GPT-4o.
- GPT-4o Retirement Date: February 13
- Previous Discontinuation: August
- User Shift to GPT-5.2: 99.9% of users
- Remaining GPT-4o Users: 0.1%
As OpenAI continues to navigate user preferences and legal challenges, the discontinuation of GPT-4o marks a significant transition towards newer technology.
