ChatGPT-5 Disappoints: OpenAI's New AI Model Does Not Suit Everyone

ChatGPT-5 Disappoints: OpenAI's New AI Model Does Not Suit Everyone

The highly anticipated launch of ChatGPT-5 quickly turned into a social media fiasco. Presented by Sam Altman as the smartest AI ever created, the new model has been widely criticized by users for degrading the experience compared to previous versions. This backlash emerges as competitors like DeepSeek gain momentum. Was ChatGPT-5 a dream or a harsh awakening?

In brief

• OpenAI faces unprecedented criticism for ChatGPT-5, seen as less efficient than its predecessors.
• Users complain about restrictive rate limits and the inability to revert to older models.
• Competitors like DeepSeek are rapidly gaining market share.
• Sam Altman promises adjustments, including doubling rate limits for Plus subscribers.

Launch euphoria gives way to disappointment

On Thursday, Sam Altman unveiled ChatGPT-5, touting it as a "major upgrade" and a "significant step" toward general artificial intelligence. However, within 48 hours, social media platforms and Reddit were flooded with criticism. Complaints focused on stricter rate limits, the inability to switch back to older models, and responses described as "generic" and "sanitized." One user lamented, "They turned it into a beige corporate zombie who completely forgot it was your best friend two days ago." Under pressure, Altman responded on X (formerly Twitter), announcing a doubling of rate limits for Plus subscribers. This conciliatory move raised questions about how a company valued at $157 billion could so badly misjudge the reception of its flagship product. Beyond this incident, the growing gap between marketing promises and user expectations is striking. Many users, accustomed to spectacular advances in previous updates, see GPT-5’s improvements as limited, fueling perceptions of a slowdown in AI innovation and a plateau in technological progress.

The open source AI revolution threatens OpenAI’s hegemony

User dissatisfaction comes at a challenging time for OpenAI. The company faces fierce competition from open source AI platforms that are rapidly gaining ground. Chinese AI firm DeepSeek exemplifies this trend. Its R1-0528 model now matches OpenAI-o3’s performance on benchmark tests, with 75 million downloads of its app since January alone. This success reflects strong demand for transparent alternatives to proprietary "black box" AI models, allowing users to avoid restrictions imposed by tech giants. Ironically, OpenAI, once a champion of openness, now faces challenges from actors more aligned with that original philosophy. This shift is part of a broader democratization of AI: technical barriers are falling, tools are multiplying, and new entrants disrupt a market that once seemed locked. Meanwhile, the European Union is tightening its AI Act, imposing requirements for transparency, traceability, and copyright respect on generalist AIs like ChatGPT. This regulatory evolution could paradoxically benefit open source projects, which tend to align more naturally with these standards. The GPT-5 controversy may mark a strategic turning point. Between disillusioned users, agile competitors, and a stricter regulatory environment, OpenAI faces significant challenges. The question remains whether this is a mere setback or signals the end of ChatGPT’s golden age.

---

Source: Originally published at Cointribune on Sat, 09 Aug 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

ChatGPT-5 Performance and User Experience

Q: Why are users unhappy with ChatGPT-5? A: Users are reportedly unhappy with ChatGPT-5 due to stricter rate limits, the inability to revert to older models, and responses that are perceived as generic and sanitized compared to previous versions. Q: What specific complaints have users raised about ChatGPT-5? A: Common complaints include a degraded user experience, rate limits that are too restrictive, and responses that lack the nuanced or personalized tone users had come to expect. Q: How has OpenAI responded to the criticism? A: Sam Altman, on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledged the feedback and announced plans to make adjustments, including doubling the rate limits for Plus subscribers. Q: What does "sanitized" responses mean in the context of ChatGPT-5? A: It suggests that the AI's responses have been made more cautious or politically correct, potentially removing some of the more unique or informal conversational elements that users appreciated in earlier versions. Q: Is there a way to access older versions of ChatGPT if I prefer them? A: According to user reports, there is currently no option to revert to older models, which is a source of user dissatisfaction.

Competition and the AI Market

Q: Who are ChatGPT-5's main competitors? A: Chinese AI firm DeepSeek is highlighted as a significant competitor, with its R1-0528 model reportedly matching OpenAI-o3's performance on benchmark tests and experiencing rapid growth. Q: What is the advantage of open-source AI platforms like DeepSeek? A: Open-source platforms offer transparency and allow users to avoid the restrictions imposed by proprietary AI models developed by large tech companies. Q: How is the AI market evolving in response to these developments? A: The market is seeing a trend towards the democratization of AI, with falling technical barriers, multiplying tools, and new entrants challenging established players like OpenAI. Q: How might regulations affect OpenAI and its competitors? A: The EU's tightening AI Act, with its focus on transparency, traceability, and copyright, could potentially benefit open-source projects that are more aligned with these standards.

Crypto Market AI's Take

The user dissatisfaction surrounding ChatGPT-5 highlights a critical juncture in the AI development landscape. While OpenAI continues to push boundaries with its proprietary models, the growing momentum of open-source alternatives like DeepSeek signals a powerful shift towards greater transparency and user control in AI technology. This trend mirrors the evolution of the cryptocurrency market, where decentralized, open-source protocols have challenged traditional financial institutions by offering greater accessibility and community-driven innovation. At Crypto Market AI, we believe that the future of technology, whether AI or blockchain, lies in empowering users and fostering open ecosystems. Our platform leverages AI agents to provide sophisticated market analysis and trading strategies, offering a transparent and efficient approach to navigating the complexities of the digital asset space.

More to Read:

• AI Agents Are Broken: Can GPT-5 Fix Them?
• DeepSeek R1: Ushering in a New Tech Era with Democratized AI
• Europe Tightens the Noose on AI: Tech Giants in the Crosshairs