August 29, 2025 - OpenAI is grappling with unexpected user reactions to its latest GPT-5 model, which the company launched earlier this month as its "smartest, fastest, most useful model yet." The artificial intelligence giant has faced criticism from users who describe the new model as feeling "colder" or too different in style compared to its predecessor, prompting CEO Sam Altman to publicly acknowledge missteps in the rollout process.
The GPT-5 model represents a significant leap forward in AI capabilities, featuring enhanced performance across coding, mathematics, writing, and multimodal understanding. However, the transition has proven more challenging than anticipated, with users reporting that the model's responses feel less personable despite technical improvements. "We clearly have work to do on making sure the user experience feels right," Altman admitted during a recent Fortune interview, addressing concerns about the model's perceived personality shift.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance AI companies must strike between advancing technical capabilities and maintaining user satisfaction. As competitors including Microsoft's MAI-1 and Google's rumoured Gemini model prepare to challenge GPT-5's dominance, OpenAI's response to user feedback could prove crucial in the emerging "next-generation" model competition that is reshaping the industry landscape.
Our view: This situation demonstrates that raw technical advancement isn't sufficient for AI adoption—user experience and emotional resonance remain critical factors. OpenAI's willingness to acknowledge these issues publicly shows maturity in handling user feedback, but the company must move quickly to address concerns before competitors capitalise on this window of opportunity.
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