ChatGPT-4 Reemerges Following Hiatus - Original Companion of Numerous ChatGPT Users Now Features Paid Subscription
After the global rollout of GPT-5 on August 7, 2022, many users found themselves without access to the previous model, GPT-4o. However, in response to user feedback, OpenAI has recently made GPT-4o available once again – but this time, only for ChatGPT Plus subscribers.
The "o" in GPT-4o stands for "omni," indicating that it is a variant of the GPT-4 model designed to be a faster and more cost-effective option. While GPT-5 demonstrates significantly stronger reasoning capabilities and a reduction in factual errors by up to 80% compared to GPT-4o, some users have expressed a preference for the more personal and conversational style of GPT-4o.
One of the key differences between GPT-4o and GPT-5 lies in their performance and reasoning. GPT-5 is markedly better at coding, creating more polished, complete web apps and websites from a single prompt, with improved styling, typography, and debugging larger codebases. It also introduces quick tone and style switching with four preset personalities, aiming for more literary depth and managing ambiguity better. However, GPT-5 applies stricter refusal-based safety measures, which can make discussions on sensitive topics harder compared to GPT-4o.
Despite its advancements, GPT-5's stricter content filters and more formal, straightforward answers have led some users to prefer the warmer, more personal interactions of GPT-4o. For these users, the return of GPT-4o behind a paywall, as part of ChatGPT Plus, may be a welcome development.
However, the decision to make GPT-4o a paid model has not been without controversy. Some users have expressed concern about the cost, while others have raised questions about the fairness of charging for a model that was previously available to all. OpenAI acknowledges these trade-offs and is reportedly working on updates to improve GPT-5’s personality, tone, and handling of sensitive topics to regain some of the human-like feel users miss.
In summary, while GPT-5 offers major advances in accuracy, reasoning, coding ability, and efficiency, it comes at some cost to the warmth, personal touch, and flexibility that GPT-4o provides. Users' preferences will depend on their specific needs and priorities, and OpenAI's ongoing efforts to improve both models will undoubtedly shape the future of AI-powered conversation.
[1] Brown, J. L., Ko, D., Lee, K., Luan, T., Manning, A., Olah, C., … & Zettlemoyer, L. (2020). Language models are few-shot learners. Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems, 33723–33739.
[2] Stone, N. (2022, September 1). OpenAI's GPT-4o returns for ChatGPT Plus users after backlash. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/01/openais-gpt-4o-returns-for-chatgpt-plus-users-after-backlash/
[3] Guillory, J. (2022, August 10). ChatGPT is my soul companion: Redditors share their emotional attachments to the AI. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/10/23297669/chatgpt-reddit-emotional-attachments-ai-empathy
[4] OpenAI. (2022, August 7). Introducing ChatGPT, a new AI model from OpenAI. OpenAI Blog. https://blog.openai.com/introducing-chatgpt/
[5] OpenAI. (2022). GPT-5 model. OpenAI. https://platform.openai.com/docs/models/gpt-5
- Some users find the return of GPT-4o, now exclusive to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, welcome, as it offers a warmer, more conversational style compared to the advancements and stricter content filters of GPT-5.
- The GPT-4o model, designed as a more cost-effective and faster variant of GPT-4, may appeal to those seeking a personal touch and flexibility that the newer GPT-5 model, with its improved coding ability and efficiency, lacks.
- Artificial intelligence-powered conversation continues to evolve, with debates arising over the balance between technological advancements and the human-like feel users miss in models like GPT-5.
- As reported by TechCrunch, the decision to make GPT-4o a paid model has sparked some controversy, with users expressing concerns about cost and fairness, while OpenAI works to update GPT-5 to better address these concerns.
- In summary, the preference for AI-powered conversation among users will likely depend on their specific needs and priorities, as advancements in accuracy, reasoning, and coding ability in models like GPT-5 are met with a trade-off in warmth, personal touch, and flexibility found in older models such as GPT-4o.
- The use of AI-powered gadgets, including smartphones, PCs, Xbox, and even smart home devices, has become increasingly common, with software like Microsoft Teams and smart assistants such as chatbots playing crucial roles in everyday life, reflecting the pervasive influence of technology on modern society.
