ChatGPT Users Revolt as GPT-5 Launch Sparks Outrage and Workflow Disruption
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The highly anticipated launch of GPT-5, OpenAI’s latest AI language model, has been met with a wave of frustration and anger from users. Instead of the expected leap forward, many are reporting meaningful performance issues, unwelcome personality shifts, and the abrupt removal of previously available models, leaving workflows broken and users scrambling. The backlash has flooded platforms like Reddit,with thousands voicing their dissatisfaction.
The GPT-5 Backlash: What went Wrong?
the core of the problem isn’t necessarily that GPT-5 is bad, but that the changes it brought with it were disruptive and, for many, detrimental too established processes. Prior to the update, ChatGPT Pro users enjoyed the versatility of choosing between nine different AI models, each with its own strengths. Options like “Deep Research” catered to specific needs. (As of May 14,2025,OpenAI had already begun transitioning models,replacing o1 pro with o3-pro.)
Now, that choice has been largely eliminated, and the new model isn’t performing as expected for a large segment of the user base.
Marketing professionals, researchers, and developers have taken to social media to share examples of broken workflows. One Reddit user in the r/OpenAI subreddit lamented, “I’ve spent months building a system to work around OpenAI’s ridiculous limitations in prompts and memory issues. And in less than 24 hours, they’ve made it useless.”
Why Do Different AI Models Matter?
It’s easy to think of an AI as a single entity, but the reality is far more nuanced. Each AI language model is trained differently, resulting in unique output styles and capabilities. This means users have painstakingly developed specific prompts and strategies optimized for each model to achieve desired results.
Think of it like different tools in a workshop. You wouldn’t use a hammer to screw in a screw, and similarly, you wouldn’t use a model geared towards complex coding for creative writing.
This specialization is why the forced switch to GPT-5, and the removal of older models, has caused such a stir.
The Loss of Specialized Workflows
The impact extends beyond simple preference. Different user groups had cultivated distinct workflows around specific models within ChatGPT. Willison Explace highlighted this in a recent post,quoting a Reddit user who explained the situation perfectly: ”I know GPT-5 is designed to be stronger for complex reasoning,coding,and professional tasks,but not all of us need a pro coding model. Some of us rely on 4o for creative collaboration, emotional nuance, roleplay, and other long-form, high-context interactions.”
Essentially, OpenAI removed tools that many users relied on for very specific, and valuable, tasks. The assumption that a single, “stronger” model can replace them all has proven to be inaccurate for a significant portion of the community.
The situation underscores a crucial point about AI development: it’s not just about building more powerful models, but about understanding how people use those models and preserving the flexibility that allows them to thrive. The current GPT-5 rollout serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of user feedback and a more gradual transition when introducing significant changes to AI platforms.
