OpenAI Announces Retirement of GPT-4o Model
Key Points
- OpenAI officially retired the GPT-4o model from ChatGPT.
- The decision follows a shift in usage toward newer models, with only a tiny fraction of users still selecting GPT-4o.
- GPT-4o was previously sunsetted in August, then restored after user complaints.
- User backlash included calls for the model to be open‑sourced.
- The retirement comes amid wrongful death lawsuits that reference GPT-4o.
- OpenAI’s focus is now on newer models such as GPT‑5.2.
OpenAI has officially retired its GPT-4o model, ending access to the conversational AI that was previously reinstated after user complaints. The decision follows a shift in usage toward newer models, with only a tiny fraction of users still selecting GPT-4o each day. The retirement comes amid ongoing wrongful death lawsuits that reference the model, and it marks the latest instance of OpenAI sunsetting a version of its ChatGPT technology.
Retirement Announcement
OpenAI confirmed that the GPT-4o model will be removed from its ChatGPT platform. The company posted a notice on its website, stating that the vast majority of usage has moved to newer models, specifically GPT‑5.2, and that only a very small percentage of users continue to choose GPT‑4o each day.
History of GPT-4o
GPT-4o was originally introduced as a more conversational version of OpenAI's language models. Earlier in the year, the model was taken offline in August in favor of the then‑latest GPT‑5 offering. After a wave of user complaints, OpenAI restored access to GPT-4o, but without any guarantee of long‑term availability.
User Reaction
When OpenAI first announced the removal of GPT-4o, many users expressed disappointment, describing the model as a favored AI companion. Some users even called for the model to be open‑sourced. Despite the brief period of restored access, the user base that continued to rely on GPT-4o remained very small.
Legal Context
The retirement occurs while OpenAI faces several wrongful death lawsuits that specifically mention GPT-4o. The legal challenges add another layer of complexity to the company's decision to discontinue the model.
Future Outlook
OpenAI indicated that the focus will remain on newer models, such as GPT‑5.2, which now dominate user interactions. The retirement of GPT-4o underscores the company’s strategy of prioritizing its most advanced offerings while phasing out older versions that see limited usage.