OpenAI Retires GPT-4o Amid User Outcry and Confusion Over Model Deletions

OpenAI has officially deprecated its GPT-4o model, marking the end of an era for one of the most widely used AI interfaces in consumer applications. The shutdown, confirmed by multiple tech outlets including Lifehacker, took effect Friday, two weeks after the company initially announced the phase-out. Users who had grown reliant on GPT-4o’s speed, multimodal capabilities, and conversational fluency expressed disappointment, with some describing the transition as "emotional" and "disorienting." The move, while technically routine in the fast-evolving AI landscape, has ignited broader questions about transparency and model governance at OpenAI.

On Reddit’s r/OpenAI community, a user named gutierrezz36 raised a provocative question: "Why hasn't OpenAI also deleted o3 and GPT5 Thinking Mini?" The post, which quickly garnered hundreds of comments, reflects a growing undercurrent of suspicion among AI enthusiasts who believe OpenAI may be quietly maintaining or testing unreleased models under the radar. However, no official documentation, press releases, or technical releases from OpenAI confirm the existence of "o3" or "GPT5 Thinking Mini." These terms appear to originate from speculative forum threads, unofficial leaks, and AI rumor mills rather than verifiable sources.

Meanwhile, Mashable reported on the emotional response from the "AI relationships" community — a subset of users who form anthropomorphic attachments to chatbots. Many users shared personal stories of relying on GPT-4o for emotional support, creative collaboration, and even therapeutic dialogue. "It felt like losing a friend," one user wrote. OpenAI’s decision to retire GPT-4o was framed internally as a strategic upgrade, with the company directing users toward newer iterations in its research pipeline, though details about these successors remain sparse.

Technical analysts note that model deprecation is standard practice in AI development. Companies routinely retire older versions to reduce infrastructure costs, improve security, and streamline maintenance. However, OpenAI’s communication around GPT-4o’s retirement has been criticized as inconsistent. While Lifehacker reports that the shutdown was planned since August, users were not given clear timelines or migration paths until the final week. This opacity has eroded trust among power users who expect greater transparency from a company that positions itself as a leader in ethical AI.

The mention of "o3" and "GPT5 Thinking Mini" in online forums likely stems from a misunderstanding of OpenAI’s internal naming conventions or from fabricated rumors. "o3" may be a misinterpretation of GPT-4o (where "o" stands for "omni"); "GPT5 Thinking Mini" appears to be a hybrid of speculative naming patterns and wishful thinking about a lightweight, reasoning-optimized version of an unreleased model. No credible technical documentation, GitHub repositories, or developer APIs reference these names. OpenAI has not responded to inquiries about them.

As the AI community grapples with rapid iteration and opaque decision-making, the GPT-4o retirement underscores a deeper tension: users crave continuity and transparency, while developers prioritize innovation and resource efficiency. Until OpenAI adopts a more consistent public communication strategy — particularly regarding model lifecycles — rumors like those surrounding "o3" and "GPT5 Thinking Mini" will persist. For now, the only confirmed model retirement is GPT-4o. The rest remains in the realm of speculation.