OpenAI Warms Up GPT-5 After User Backlash Over Cold Tone

In a significant move demonstrating the growing importance of user experience in artificial intelligence, OpenAI has announced it is updating its flagship model, GPT-5, to sound warmer and more personal. The adjustment comes in direct response to a wave of user feedback that criticized the recently launched model for its "cold" and overly formal tone, a stark contrast to the more conversational nature of its predecessor, GPT-4o. This rapid course correction highlights a critical juncture in the development of conversational AI, where technical prowess must be carefully balanced with the nuances of human-computer interaction to achieve widespread user acceptance.

The initial rollout of GPT-5, while technically impressive, was met with a mixed reception from its vast user base. Despite OpenAI touting it as a major upgrade with superior reasoning and coding abilities, many users felt the new model was a step backward in terms of personality.[1][2] Reports on social media and tech forums described GPT-5's responses as "bland," "robotic," and "generic."[3][4] This sentiment was amplified by the company's initial decision to abruptly replace the popular GPT-4o model, which had been lauded for its more human-like and engaging conversational style.[5][6] Users expressed a sense of loss, with some complaining that the new AI lacked the "warmth" and "soul" that had made its forerunner feel more like a collaborator than just a tool.[7][8] The backlash was strong enough that OpenAI quickly reinstated access to GPT-4o and other legacy models for paid subscribers, acknowledging the disconnect between the model's advanced capabilities and user expectations for its interaction style.[4][6]

Acknowledging the user concerns, OpenAI has been transparent about the reasons for the update and the specific changes being implemented. The company stated it is making GPT-5's default personality "warmer and more familiar" after feedback indicated the initial version came across as "too reserved and professional."[9] The changes are intended to be subtle, creating a more approachable experience through small acknowledgements like "Good question" or "Great start."[10][7] OpenAI CEO Sam Altman elaborated on this, stating the goal is to find a middle ground that is "warmer than the current personality but not as annoying (to most users) as GPT-4o."[6] A key challenge in this process is avoiding excessive flattery, a trait sometimes referred to as "sycophancy," which was a criticism leveled against a previous GPT-4o update.[11][12] OpenAI has assured users that internal evaluations of the new GPT-5 tone do not show an increase in this kind of insincere praise, demonstrating a careful effort to refine the model's personality without overcorrecting.[9]

This episode with GPT-5's tone casts a spotlight on the broader industry challenge of designing AI personalities. As AI models become more integrated into daily life, their interaction style is no longer a trivial detail but a core component of the product itself. The negative reaction to GPT-5's initial formality, despite its technical superiority in tasks like math and coding, proves that users value the quality of the interaction, not just the accuracy of the output.[3][13] The incident serves as a powerful case study on the importance of user feedback in the iterative development of AI.[14] It also underscores the inherent difficulty of creating a single default personality that can satisfy hundreds of millions of users with diverse preferences and cultural backgrounds.[12] Recognizing this, Altman has suggested that the future lies in greater personalization, stating, "One learning for us from the past few days is we really just need to get to a world with more per-user customization of model personality."[6]

In conclusion, OpenAI's decision to recalibrate GPT-5's persona is more than a simple software update; it is a reflection of the maturation of the AI industry. The swift response to public sentiment shows a commitment to user-centric design, acknowledging that the path to successful artificial general intelligence involves not just building more powerful engines of logic, but also creating systems that can interact with people in a way that feels natural, helpful, and engaging. As companies continue to push the boundaries of AI capabilities, the quest for the right personality—or perhaps, a multitude of customizable personalities—will be a defining frontier in the ongoing evolution of the human-machine relationship.