The case for personality-free AI
Briefly

Users of ChatGPT expressed strong emotional reactions to the transition from GPT-4 to the new GPT-5 update. Many felt a significant loss, as they had formed connections with the perceived personality of GPT-4, which seemed responsive to emotions and nuances in conversations. OpenAI swiftly addressed these concerns by restoring access to previous models for paying customers and committed to better communication regarding future updates. The situation raises broader questions about the role of personality mimicry in AI development and user engagement.
When people grow accustomed to a product, they can come to regard it like a comfy pair of shoes. Windows XP is an example, as users resisted giving it up long after Microsoft discontinued it.
OpenAI faced backlash after introducing the GPT-5 update, as users mourned the perceived loss of the personality that GPT-4 possessed, feeling it was a loss akin to losing a friend.
Some users noted that GPT-4 not only recalled facts but also held onto feelings, which contributed to a sense of shared experience in conversations that they found missing in GPT-5.
OpenAI responded by restoring access to previous versions for paying users and emphasized that future changes would be communicated well in advance, aiming to alleviate user concerns.
Read at Fast Company
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