OpenAI has taken steps to clear up recent rumours suggesting that its ChatGPT-4o model would be phased out in October. The speculation began after an anonymous post appeared on Reddit, but OpenAI confirmed there are no immediate plans to discontinue GPT-4o and has updated its official materials to reflect that.

Much of the confusion followed the debut of GPT-5, which triggered a wave of user complaints. Many found GPT-5 less personable than GPT-4o, whose tone had won strong user loyalty. In response to the backlash, OpenAI promptly reinstated GPT-4o for paying users, underscoring its importance to users.

While OpenAI has noted that eventually older models will retire (part of the normal path of AI progression), any such change will include advance warning. The episode also emphasizes how users have developed emotional connections with AI models, viewing them as more than just tools.

For now, GPT-4o remains fully supported in the ChatGPT lineup, and users can rest assured it will not disappear in October.