The removal of familiar tools like GPT-4 and 4.5 during the rollout of GPT-5 illustrates the psychology behind feature changes in technology. Users value the sense of control provided by having options, which can contribute to their overall satisfaction. When features are removed without warning, it can create frustration and a feeling of reduced autonomy. The way changes are made can be as impactful as the changes themselves, highlighting the importance of user agency in technology design decisions.
When OpenAI rolled out GPT-5, GPT-4 and 4.5 quietly disappeared from the menu, leaving users without familiar tools they relied on for tasks from coding to creative writing.
Focusing on the model's new personality misses a more crucial point: the frustration may have less to do with what the model became, and more to do with how the change was made.
OpenAI's decision, possibly driven by resource constraints or a focus on GPT-5's new capabilities, came without warning or explanation.
It feels different when I decide to tone something down or turn it off, compared to when someone else decides for me. One preserves autonomy. The other removes it.
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