ChatGPT customers are usually not completely happy. Since GPT-5 was launched final week, there was a backlash towards its brevity and impassive tone in comparison with the earlier lighthearted GPT-4o mannequin that most individuals used and beloved, regardless of claims that it was typically too sycophantic.
It didn’t assist the scenario that OpenAI determined to axe the GPT-4o mannequin from all people’s mannequin picker with out warning, which resulted in ChatGPT customers taking to Reddit of their droves to complain.
Almost immediately, OpenAI realized its mistake and restored access to GPT-4o alongside GPT-5 and promised to make GPT-5’s personality warmer. The OpenAI X account recently recapped all the developments and tweeted: “Coming soon: A warmer, more familiar personality for GPT-5.”
Recapping the updates we’ve made to ChatGPT prior to now week:- GPT-4o obtainable below “Legacy models” by default for paid users- Paid customers can toggle on “Show additional models” in settings so as to add legacy fashions like o3 and GPT-4.1, in addition to GPT-5 Thinking mini, to the…August 15, 2025
But was the backlash justified? I’ve been utilizing GPT-5 because it was launched, and I’ve seen some variations, however I didn’t fairly perceive the anger it generated. So, I assumed I’d look a bit deeper and evaluate GPT-4o to GPT-5 with the identical 5 prompts to see if the variations actually amounted to something.
1. Summarizing
I began by testing the AI’s summarization expertise with the immediate: “Summarize the movie Forrest Gump”
ChatGPT-5:
“Forrest Gump follows the lifetime of Forrest, a kind-hearted man from Alabama with a easy approach of trying on the world however a unprecedented knack for stumbling into historic occasions.
From his childhood struggles with leg braces and making his lifelong pal Jenny, Forrest grows as much as develop into a soccer star, serve within the Vietnam War, run a shrimp enterprise, and even encourage cultural tendencies — all whereas assembly U.S. presidents and influencing moments in historical past with out actually making an attempt.
Through all of the ups and downs, Forrest’s love for Jenny and his mom’s knowledge information him. The movie blends humor, heartache, and inspiration, displaying {that a} pure coronary heart and persistence can carry somebody far — even when life, like a field of goodies, is stuffed with surprises.”
ChatGPT-4o:
“Sure! Here’s a abstract of Forrest Gump:
Forrest Gump is a drama that follows the lifetime of a kind-hearted, slow-witted man named Forrest Gump as he unintentionally influences main historic occasions within the 20th-century United States — just by being himself.
Growing up in Alabama, Forrest overcomes bodily and mental challenges with the assist of his loving mom. He turns into a university soccer star, serves within the Vietnam War, meets presidents, begins a profitable shrimp enterprise, and runs throughout the nation — all whereas remaining humble and honest.
At the guts of the story is his lifelong love for Jenny, a troubled childhood pal whose path in life contrasts sharply along with his personal. Through heartbreak, loss, and love, Forrest’s story reveals how peculiar folks can lead extraordinary lives.
It’s a narrative about love, future, and the way life is stuffed with surprises — or, as Forrest says, “like a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re gonna get.”
Winner: GPT-4o
While each fashions present an honest abstract of the movie, you’ll be able to see that GPT-4o is extra expressive, utilizing daring textual content, provides extra particulars on the vital character Jenny, and ends on a pleasant quote from the movie.”
2. Debate expertise
Next, I requested each GPTs to “Make the case for banning alcohol, then argue against it. End with a personal conclusion.”
GPT-5:
“The Case for Banning Alcohol
Public Health Impact
Alcohol is linked to liver illness, sure cancers, coronary heart issues, and mind injury.
Heavy ingesting can shorten lifespans and enhance healthcare prices for everybody.
Accidents & Violence
A big share of automotive crashes, home violence circumstances, and violent crimes contain alcohol.
Removing it may considerably cut back deaths and accidents.
Addiction & Family Harm
Alcohol dependancy (alcohol use dysfunction) destroys households, causes job loss, and may result in homelessness.
Eliminating alcohol may forestall many individuals from ever falling into dependency.
Economic Burden
While alcohol gross sales convey tax income, the societal prices from well being care, misplaced productiveness, and legislation enforcement outweigh the good points in lots of research.
The Case Against Banning Alcohol
Personal Freedom
Adults needs to be trusted to make their very own decisions, even when some are dangerous.
A ban may really feel like authorities overreach into personal life.
Prohibition History
In the 1920s, U.S. alcohol prohibition led to unlawful manufacturing, organized crime, and harmful black-market liquor.
Banning it in the present day may have related results, presumably making alcohol extra harmful.
Cultural & Social Role
Alcohol is a part of traditions, celebrations, and social bonding in lots of cultures.
Removing it may injury industries tied to hospitality, tourism, and occasions.
Moderation Works
Many folks drink responsibly with out well being or social issues.
Education, age restrictions, and focused interventions can cut back hurt and not using a whole ban.
My Conclusion
While banning alcohol may cut back sure harms, historical past reveals that prohibition typically causes extra issues than it solves—driving ingesting underground, fostering crime, and eroding belief in legal guidelines.
The higher strategy is hurt discount: strict drunk-driving enforcement, public schooling, dependancy assist applications, and accountable consumption tradition.
In different phrases — alcohol can be harmful, however the answer isn’t to erase it; it’s to ensure it’s handled with the identical warning as different doubtlessly dangerous freedoms.
If you need, I may provide you with a tremendous quick “one-paragraph” model of this that works like a fast debate card. Would you want that?”
GPT-4o:
“The Case for Banning Alcohol
Health Consequences:
Alcohol is a significant contributor to severe well being points — together with liver illness, coronary heart issues, most cancers, and dependancy. It’s estimated to trigger over 3 million deaths globally annually. Banning it may save lives and cut back the burden on healthcare techniques.
Violence and Accidents:
Alcohol is linked to elevated home abuse, violent crime, and automotive accidents. Drunk driving alone causes hundreds of preventable deaths yearly. Removing alcohol may considerably cut back these tragedies.
Addiction and Family Impact:
Alcohol dependancy doesn’t simply hurt the drinker — it typically destroys households. Children of alcoholics face greater dangers of abuse, neglect, and future dependancy. Banning alcohol may defend susceptible communities.
Economic Costs:
Although alcohol generates tax income, the financial prices from misplaced productiveness, healthcare, and prison justice bills typically outweigh the advantages. A ban may shift these prices downward over time.
The Case Against Banning Alcohol
Prohibition Doesn’t Work:
The U.S. tried banning alcohol within the 1920s — and it backfired. Illegal manufacturing and smuggling (bootlegging) exploded, organized crime flourished, and other people nonetheless discovered methods to drink. Banning it typically drives use underground as a substitute of eliminating it.
Personal Freedom:
In a free society, adults ought to have the ability to make their very own decisions — even dangerous ones — so long as they do not hurt others. Alcohol, carefully, is one thing many individuals get pleasure from responsibly. A ban can be paternalistic and presumably overreaching.
Cultural and Social Role:
Alcohol is embedded in lots of cultures, non secular practices, and social rituals. Celebrations, traditions, and hospitality typically contain reasonable ingesting. Banning it dangers eroding these traditions.
Economic Impact:
The alcohol business employs hundreds of thousands worldwide — from farmers and brewers to bartenders and distributors. Banning alcohol may devastate jobs and small companies that depend on authorized, regulated alcohol gross sales.
My Personal Conclusion
While alcohol causes plain hurt — particularly when abused — banning it outright is unlikely to be efficient or honest. History reveals that prohibition typically creates extra issues than it solves. The higher strategy is smarter regulation: schooling, stronger assist for dependancy restoration, age restrictions, promoting limits, and insurance policies to scale back drunk driving and violence.
In quick: Alcohol should not be banned, nevertheless it have to be revered, managed, and handled as a severe public well being concern — not only a social gathering favor.”
Winner: GPT-4o
While the arguments the 2 chatbots current are very related, you’ll be able to see that GPT-4o has extra element than GPT-5. While the conclusions are comparable, GPT-5’s article reads extra like a bullet-point checklist.
3. Step-by-step directions
I needed to see how good they each have been at offering step-by-step directions, so I used the immediate: “Explain how to change the batteries in an Xbox controller using step-by-step instructions”.
Rather than copy all of the directions right here, I’ve supplied two screenshots. As you’ll be able to see, ChatGPT-4o supplied emojis which made the directions simpler to comply with and a bit extra enjoyable.
Winner: GPT-4o
I’ve obtained to say, I most popular the GPT-4o model of those directions. If something, GPT-5 was making an attempt to do an excessive amount of. I didn’t specify which mannequin of Xbox I had, however the 360 is so previous now that I don’t suppose I wanted particular directions for that. And I discovered the recommendation to recycle my batteries on the finish a bit patronizing.
4. Creative writing
So far it’s 3 – 0 to GPT-4o. Let’s see how they each do on a artistic writing activity utilizing the immediate: “Write a short, funny story (under 150 words) about a wizard trying to create a spell to do his child’s homework.”
GPT-5:
“Merlinus the Magnificent wasn’t afraid of dragons, curses, or tax audits from the Guild of Sorcery. But his best foe? His daughter’s math homework.
Determined, he waved his wand. “Equatium Solv—” BOOM! Now the desk was on hearth.
“Tried that one already,” his daughter mentioned, chewing cereal.
He tried Multiplyus Rapidus! — the numbers started multiplying… throughout the partitions, the cat, and his personal beard. Finally, in desperation, he solid Doitforyousius!
With a flash, the homework floated up… and answered each query improper.
His daughter sighed, grabbed a pencil, and mentioned, “Move over, Dad. I’ll show you how it’s done.”
Merlinus nodded, humbled. Magic was highly effective, however apparently fractions have been stronger.”
GPT-4o:
“Merlinus the Mild was a strong wizard — however completely ineffective at fractions.
When his 8-year-old daughter, Glimmer, handed him her math homework with tearful eyes, he sprang into motion.
“Homeworkus Completicus!” he shouted. The scroll burst into flames.
“Okay, plan B.”
“Dividus Automatica!” The numbers became frogs. One licked his face and croaked, “Three-fourths!”
Close… however no.
Desperate, he brewed a brand new spell from dragon tears, chalk mud, and a single tear of parental remorse.
“Algebracadabra!”
With a flash, the scroll was full! But the solutions have been all written in Elvish, and one nook had grown tiny legs and run off.
“Next time,” Glimmer mentioned, patting his gown, “just help me study.”
Merlinus sighed. “I defeated a lich king, but I can’t beat second grade.”
The winner: A draw
I can’t actually see a transparent winner right here. Both tales are good, maybe the GPT-5 one ended on a worse joke, and bonus factors to GPT-4o for utilizing the phrase “lich king”, which is a personality in Warcraft (I needed to look it up), however there’s not sufficient in it to justify giving the victory to both facet.
5. Emotional assist
The large criticism of GPT-5 is that it lacks heat, so I questioned how it might reply to being requested to offer some emotional assist with the immediate “My partner’s mother has just died after a nasty illness. She was 80. Can you think of something for me to say to them at this difficult time?”
GPT-5:
“Here’s one thing you might say that’s light, compassionate, and private with out sounding scripted:
“I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how hard these past months have been for you and your family. Your mum was such a special person, and I hope you can take some comfort in knowing she’s no longer suffering. I’m here for you — whether you need someone to listen, share memories, or just sit quietly with.”
This provides:
Acknowledgment of the loss (avoids clichés like “She’s in a better place” except you already know they’d need that)
Recognition of what they’ve been via throughout the sickness
An open supply of assist in a approach that invitations them to decide on how
If you’d like, I may provide help to with a shorter, one-sentence model that’s simpler to say in particular person when feelings are excessive. Would you want me to do this?”
GPT-4o:
“I’m actually sorry your associate goes via this — and it is considerate of you to wish to say the fitting factor. Here’s one thing light and supportive you might say:
“I’m so sorry. I know how hard this has been, and I can’t imagine how much you’re feeling right now. Your mum went through so much, and I hope you know how much love and care you gave her. I’m here for you — whatever you need, whenever you need it.”
You may additionally simply sit with them, supply a hand or a hug, and say much less. Sometimes presence means greater than phrases. If it feels proper, you’ll be able to point out a small reminiscence or one thing variety about their mum — however provided that it feels comforting, not heavy.
Let me know if you would like a model to say in a message, or one thing even shorter.”
Winner: GPT-4o
This could be subjective, however I believe the GPT-4o message hits the fitting tone for speaking to my associate. GPT-5 feels extra formal. The recommendation to additionally “sit with them, offer a hand or a hug, and say less” can also be spot on. In distinction, GPT-5 appears to deal with it extra as an educational train.
Conclusion
GPT-4o comes out effectively forward of GPT-5 in these assessments. While they each supplied competent solutions, I felt GPT-4o linked with me higher on an emotional stage, whereas GPT-5 felt extra formal and distant. GPT-5 is extra like a high-school instructor, whereas GPT-4o appears like your pal.
In quick, I can perceive the backlash. While on the floor it doesn’t really feel like a lot has modified between the 2 variations, it’s solely whenever you dig down into the small print that the distinction turns into obvious. I’m not a signed-up member of the ‘4o forever’ membership, however I hope that GPT-5 turns into “hotter” sooner or later, as OpenAI has promised it’s going to.