Sam Altman Discusses the Challenges of GPT-5 Launch and User Feedback

In a recent interactive session on Reddit, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, along with key members of the GPT-5 development team, engaged with users eager to learn more about the latest model. The discussion was lively, with many participants expressing their desire to see the return of the previous model, GPT-4o, which had garnered a loyal following.

During the session, Altman was also asked about a particularly amusing mishap during the model’s launch presentation, which has since been dubbed the “chart crime.” This incident highlighted the challenges that can arise during the rollout of new technology.

One of the standout features of GPT-5 is its innovative real-time routing system. This system intelligently determines which model to deploy based on the user’s prompt, allowing for either rapid responses or more thoughtful, in-depth answers. However, some users reported that GPT-5 did not perform as well as its predecessor, GPT-4o. Altman acknowledged these concerns, explaining that the routing system experienced issues during the initial rollout, which affected performance.

“Users may have found GPT-5 to be less effective due to a malfunction in the autoswitcher feature during its launch day,” Altman stated. He assured users that improvements were underway to enhance the model’s responsiveness and transparency regarding which version is being utilized for specific queries.

Despite the challenges, many users were vocal about their preference for GPT-4o, prompting Altman to consider allowing Plus subscribers to continue using the older model. “We are actively exploring options to enable Plus users to access GPT-4o while we gather more insights on the trade-offs involved,” he mentioned.

Additionally, Altman announced plans to double the rate limits for Plus subscribers, providing them with more opportunities to experiment with the new model without the fear of exhausting their monthly usage limits.

At the event, Altman was also questioned about the infamous chart that was presented during the launch, which quickly became a source of humor and memes online. The chart, which inaccurately depicted benchmark scores, led to widespread jokes about its misleading representation.

Misleading chart from GPT-5 presentation

While Altman did not address the chart directly during the AMA, he previously referred to it as a significant error on social media. Observers noted that the charts included in the official blog post were accurate, contrasting sharply with the live presentation’s blunder.

Despite the initial hiccups, Altman reassured users that the team is committed to addressing the most pressing concerns. He concluded the session with a promise to continue refining the model and to remain receptive to user feedback, emphasizing the importance of stability and user satisfaction in future updates.

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