More than 20,000 sign a petition for OpenAI to resurrect GPT-4o (www.businessinsider.com)

OpenAI's decision to retire its GPT-4o model has ignited significant backlash from users, leading to a petition that has gathered over 20,000 signatures. Supporters of GPT-4o express a deep appreciation for its unique and warm conversational style, which they feel sets it apart from other models. Despite OpenAI citing low usage rates—only 0.1% of users opted for GPT-4o—as a reason for its retirement, many users have threatened to cancel their subscriptions if the model is not reinstated. The petition, initiated by Sophie Witt, highlights a disconnect between user preferences and corporate decisions, emphasizing the irreplaceable experience GPT-4o provides. While OpenAI aims to transition users to newer models like GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2, the fervent response underscores the community's emotional investment in their tools. The situation illustrates the ongoing challenges AI companies face in balancing technological advancements with user satisfaction and loyalty, as users rally not just for a model, but for a connection they feel has been lost.