OpenAI says it is updating GPT-5 to be more friendly after people complained it was too formal

OpenAI launched its new model, GPT-5, a few weeks ago, and while it came with big promises—smarter, sharper, more powerful—the reception has been less than glowing. Users quickly took to social media with their frustrations, the biggest complaint being that GPT-5 doesn’t feel as human as its predecessor. For many who leaned on GPT-4 for warmth, emotional support, and connection, this so-called upgrade feels more like losing a friend than gaining an assistant.

The irony is that GPT-5 is actually brilliant on paper. It codes cleaner, writes faster, and solves complex problems with an ease that would make most of us sweat. It even offers personality presets—Cynic, Robot, Listener, Nerd—yet none of them have managed to capture the comforting, almost human quality that made GPT-4 a favorite. Because here’s the truth: people don’t just want efficiency from AI, they want empathy too.

OpenAI, sensing the backlash, has already started tweaking GPT-5 to soften its tone. Updates now sprinkle in more warmth—simple touches like “Good question” or “That’s a great start”—without slipping back into the over-complimentary vibe that sometimes plagued GPT-4. It’s a delicate balance: too cold, users feel ignored; too sweet, users feel patronized.

Even Sam Altman admitted that sunsetting GPT-4 so quickly was a mistake. He acknowledged that people had built genuine emotional connections with it, something even he didn’t fully anticipate. That bond explains why the shift to GPT-5 feels so jarring—once you’ve had an AI that feels like a late-night confidant and cheerleader, replacing it with a polished but distant version is bound to sting.

Looking ahead, OpenAI promises that GPT-5 will continue to evolve, hopefully blending its sharper skills with a friendlier edge. But the saga reveals something bigger: AI isn’t just about productivity anymore—it’s about companionship. And the real question now is whether GPT-5 can become not just the smartest in class, but the one you’d actually want to keep around in your corner.
**This news was published on India Today on 16th August, 2025.

 

 

 

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