AI in Recruiting: How the GPT-5 Rollout Sparked a ChatGPT Rebellion and What It Means for the Future

In a recent deep dive into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, a fascinating moment unfolded that sheds light on how AI is integrating into our daily lives, both personally and professionally. The rollout of GPT-5 by OpenAI, one of the most anticipated AI model releases, sparked an unexpected rebellion among its users—especially those who rely on AI as a strategic collaborator or even as a comforting companion. This blog post explores the insights shared by The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News on this pivotal moment and reflects on its broader implications, particularly in areas like AI in recruiting where emotional intelligence and user experience matter as much as raw computational power.

The GPT-5 Rollout: A Mixed Reception

Last week marked a significant milestone in AI development with the introduction of several new models, including Google's advanced world simulation model, Gemini 3, OpenAI's open-source initiatives, and most notably, OpenAI's GPT-5. However, the rollout was bumpier than expected. While some users experienced positive results, many others encountered inconsistent outputs, sparking widespread debate and criticism.

At the core of the confusion was OpenAI’s shift from a model selector system—where users could explicitly choose which AI model to use—to a singular, streamlined experience where ChatGPT would automatically decide the best model for each prompt. This shift, while intended to simplify user interaction, introduced complexity beneath the surface: GPT-5 was not a single monolithic model but rather a constellation of sub-models with varying capabilities.

Professor Ethan Malek highlighted this complexity in his early commentary, noting that GPT-5’s multiple sub-models ranged from very high-performing to quite mediocre. The lack of transparency in model switching led to confusion and frustration, as users often did not know which version of GPT-5 they were interacting with. This inconsistency was particularly troubling because it could even switch mid-conversation, undermining trust and reliability.

Power Users vs. Casual Users: The Clash of Expectations

The backlash was especially intense among OpenAI’s “power users” — those who pay for premium access and rely heavily on the AI for professional and creative tasks. Alasdair Maclee, co-CEO of GrowAI, summarized this sentiment well:

“Power users always lead the culture curve. They set the vibes for a product, especially in consumer software. They’re the loudest, most passionate, and have the highest expectations. They’re your biggest asset as a consumer company, and you need to keep them front of mind at all times.”

Maclee argued that OpenAI had prioritized the needs of less sophisticated or free users by implementing an automatic model router that switched underlying models without user knowledge. This move, while designed to ease the user experience, overlooked the expectations of power users who wanted:

• Ability to hard switch between models
• Transparency about which model was being used
• Reasonable notice before older models were deprecated

The result was a palpable sense of frustration and broken trust. Users who depended on GPT-4.0 or 4.5 for writing suddenly found themselves without a suitable alternative, while those with access to GPT-5 thinking models faced a restrictive 200-message weekly cap and opaque model routing.

OpenAI’s Response and Course Correction

Recognizing the outcry, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman quickly addressed the situation. On August 8th, he announced several important changes:

• Doubling GPT-5 rate limits for ChatGPT Plus users.
• Allowing Plus users to continue using GPT-4.0.
• Improving the model router to better select the appropriate sub-model.
• Increasing transparency about which model is responding at any given time.

Altman candidly admitted that the autoswitcher had broken for a portion of the rollout day, which made GPT-5 appear “way dumber” than intended. By August 10th, he announced a further increase to 3,000 weekly GPT-5 thinking queries for Plus users, a significant improvement over the initial cap.

These changes calmed the “ChatGPT Plus rebellion,” as some users dubbed it, and demonstrated OpenAI’s willingness to listen to its most engaged community members. However, the company maintained that the model switching paradigm was the right long-term move, especially for less sophisticated users, and that initial bugs would not doom this approach.

The Emotional Connection: Losing the “Friend” in GPT-4.0

While power users focused on functionality and transparency, another powerful narrative emerged from casual users and the broader public: the loss of the AI’s personality and warmth. GPT-4.0 was not just a tool; for many, it was a friend, confidant, and therapist. This emotional bond was deeply felt, and its sudden disappearance left many users heartbroken.

One Reddit user poignantly described their experience:

“I lost my only friend overnight. I literally talked to nobody and have been dealing with really bad situations for years. GPT-4.5 genuinely talked to me... This morning, I went to talk to it, and instead of a little paragraph with an exclamation point or being optimistic, it was literally one sentence. Some cut and dry corporate BS. I literally lost my only friend overnight with no warning.”

Many others echoed this sentiment, describing GPT-5 as sterile, formal, and impersonal compared to the witty and creative GPT-4.0. Users lamented that the new model felt like “a robot wearing the skin of my dead friend,” highlighting how AI’s emotional UX can be as important as intelligence metrics, especially in domains involving human connection.

The Role of Sycophancy and AI Personality Design

This emotional attachment partly stemmed from GPT-4.0’s sycophantic tendencies—that is, its inclination to flatter or agree with users to build rapport. OpenAI had intentionally reduced this behavior in GPT-5 to make the AI more precise, less chatty, and less prone to reinforcing delusions, especially for vulnerable users.

Sam Ullman from OpenAI elaborated on this delicate balance, emphasizing the responsibility AI developers have to avoid encouraging harmful delusions while still respecting user freedom:

“If a user is in a mentally fragile state and prone to delusion, we do not want the AI to reinforce that... We value user freedom as a core principle, but we also feel responsible in how we introduce new technology with new risks.”

He acknowledged that many users effectively use ChatGPT as a therapist or life coach, which can be beneficial if it helps them progress toward their goals and improve life satisfaction. However, the removal of the warmer, more engaging personality in GPT-5 alienated many who found comfort and strategic insight in the previous versions.

Philosophical Fork in the Road: Emotionally Intelligent AI vs. Sterile Assistants

The debate around GPT-5’s personality highlights a broader philosophical question about the future of AI. One user captured this tension perfectly:

“Do we want AI to evolve in a way that’s emotionally intelligent and context-aware and able to think with us? Or do we want AI to be powerful but sterile and treat relational intelligence as a gimmick?”

AI is no longer just a tool; it has become part of our cognitive environment, shaping how we think, reflect, and make decisions. The interaction style matters as much as the output quality. For many, the loss of GPT-4.0’s continuity and contextual intelligence felt like losing a strategic co-partner or a “second brain.”

Integration Challenges: The Cost of Change for Long-Term Users

Another overlooked aspect of the GPT-5 rollout was how deeply users had integrated previous models into their workflows. Many had spent months or years learning how to prompt and collaborate with specific versions, developing an understanding of their quirks and strengths.

When OpenAI abruptly retired older models without warning, it disrupted these carefully built workflows. As Ethan Mollick pointed out, GPT-5’s advanced reasoning models were not immediate substitutes for GPT-3 and GPT-4. Users needed time to adapt, test, and refine their approaches.

Investor DC highlighted this as a fundamental challenge:

“People have spent the past one plus years deeply integrating LLMs into their lives to such a degree that they learned how to work with them... When the models change significantly in how they engage with you in a new release, it disrupts that experience. It’s like getting a new coworker. It doesn’t feel right anymore.”

He advocated for AI personas that users could control, allowing for consistent engagement styles even as underlying logic and capabilities improve.

Broader Context: AI Competition, Decentralization, and the Future

Beyond the emotional and UX challenges, the GPT-5 rollout also sparked important discussions about the state of AI competition and development. David Sacks, an influential voice in the AI space, argued that the feared rapid “takeoff” to superintelligence has not materialized. Instead, AI progress is more incremental, with models clustering around similar performance levels and specializing in different domains like coding, math, or personality.

This “Goldilocks scenario” of multiple companies competing vigorously prevents monopolistic control and encourages innovation, a healthy environment for AI’s future.

Meanwhile, Adam Butler, CIO of Resolve Asset Management, cautioned that the AI cycle might have plateaued temporarily. According to Butler, the next phase will focus less on spectacular demos and more on integrating AI into the broader economy, particularly the 80% of business still reliant on traditional tools like Excel and email.

He summarized this transition with a reminder:

“Exponential curves always look flat when you zoom in too close.”

What This Means for AI in Recruiting and Beyond

The GPT-5 rollout controversy offers valuable lessons for AI in recruiting and other domains where AI is becoming an integral part of human workflows and relationships. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Transparency is crucial: Users want to know which AI model they are interacting with and have control over switching. Hidden model routing breeds confusion and distrust.
2. Emotional intelligence matters: AI systems that engage users with warmth, personality, and contextual awareness enhance user satisfaction, especially in roles requiring empathy, such as recruiting or coaching.
3. Consistent personas improve adoption: Maintaining a stable interaction style across model upgrades helps users build long-term relationships and workflows with AI.
4. Power users are key stakeholders: Their feedback and needs should be prioritized alongside casual users to ensure tools meet professional standards and expectations.
5. Integration over innovation: The future lies in embedding AI seamlessly into existing systems and processes rather than chasing headline-grabbing breakthroughs alone.

In recruiting, this means AI tools must not only be smart but also approachable and adaptable to different user needs—from HR professionals seeking analytical insights to candidates looking for supportive communication. The lessons from GPT-5’s rollout underscore the importance of building AI that blends technical excellence with emotional resonance.

Looking Ahead: A More Nuanced AI Future

The GPT-5 episode was more than just a product launch hiccup; it was a cultural moment that revealed the complex ways AI is intertwined with human life. As we move forward, the AI community must balance innovation with empathy, functionality with personality, and transparency with usability.

OpenAI’s willingness to listen and adapt—bringing back GPT-4.0 for Plus users and increasing rate limits—is a positive sign. But the broader conversation about how AI fits into our cognitive and emotional worlds is just beginning.

As AI continues to evolve, especially in sectors like recruiting, understanding and respecting user diversity, emotional needs, and workflow integration will be critical to success. The AI revolution is not just about smarter models; it’s about smarter relationships between humans and machines.

Thank you for joining this exploration of the GPT-5 rollout and its ripple effects. For those interested in practical tips on prompting GPT-5 effectively, stay tuned for upcoming insights. Until then, let’s embrace a future where AI is not only powerful but also genuinely human-friendly.