Why GPT-5’s Launch Left AI Fans and Developers Disappointed
464OpenAI recently introduced GPT-5, the latest version of its popular AI chatbot. Many power users and fans were eager to see what new capabilities the model would bring. But the reaction was mostly underwhelming. People expected a big leap in intelligence and personality, but GPT-5 seemed more like a small update. Instead of feeling friendly and engaging like GPT-4, it came across as colder and less supportive.
OpenAI’s decision to bring back older versions of GPT for paying customers caused some frustration. It looked like the company was trying to fix GPT-5’s tone by making it warmer and friendlier. OpenAI even said they were working on that based on user feedback. But many users and critics felt the new model didn’t live up to the hype. It raised questions about how much progress AI has truly made.
Mixed Reactions from Experts and Users
Some industry insiders and developers pointed out that GPT-5 didn’t seem to be a big step forward. It didn’t show signs of reaching human-level understanding, a long-term goal for AI research. For example, users quickly spotted that GPT-5 couldn’t even count the number of ‘r’s in the word “raspberry” correctly. That kind of mistake highlights that the model still struggles with basic language tasks.
Developers also shared their opinions. Simon Willison, an AI blogger and software engineer, said GPT-5 isn’t a dramatic change from previous models. But he noted it’s generally reliable and capable of handling common tasks well. Some critics suggested that OpenAI might have cut costs by limiting GPT-5’s output quality. However, others pointed out that the model’s price remains reasonable for power users. For example, Princeton researcher Sayash Kapoor mentioned that running a standard test with GPT-5 costs about $30, much cheaper than competitors like Anthropic’s Opus 4.1, which costs around $400. But cheaper often means less accurate, as Opus 4.1 outperformed GPT-5 in some tests.
The Growing Gap Between Expectations and Reality
Despite all the hype, many see GPT-5 as a missed opportunity. It feels like the industry is settling into smaller, incremental improvements rather than major breakthroughs. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman recently admitted that investors are overexcited about AI, which might be part of the hype cycle. But he also said his company isn’t worried because of its strong influence in the field.
Critics and experts are starting to question whether AI is really advancing as fast as some claimed. The idea of a rogue AI taking over humanity seems less likely now, given the modest progress. White House AI czar David Sacks tweeted that the “Doomer” narratives about AI’s dangers are wrong. Instead, he says leading models are converging around similar performance levels, not racing to superintelligence.
Some developers expressed disappointment. Kieran Klassen, a developer, said GPT-5 feels like a release that could have come a year earlier. It doesn’t seem like a breakthrough, but rather a standard upgrade. This raises questions about whether OpenAI is still leading the AI race or just maintaining its position with incremental updates.
Closing the gap between hype and reality is crucial for OpenAI’s future. As the company aims for a valuation nearing half a trillion dollars, questions about the true capabilities of its models are more important than ever. If GPT-5 is the best they can do now, it suggests AI progress might be slowing down just as the industry hoped for major leaps forward.
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