GPT-5 Launch Stumbles Raise Questions for OpenAI
OpenAI
GPT-5
Large Language Models
Artificial Intelligence
Generative AI
Sam Altman
ChatGPT
8
Reality Check
Media Hype
7/10
Real Impact
8/10
What is the Viqus Verdict?
We evaluate each news story based on its real impact versus its media hype to offer a clear and objective perspective.
AI Analysis:
While GPT-5 represents a significant technological advance, the initial rollout’s struggles reveal a disconnect between hype and actual performance, indicating a lower impact score than initially anticipated despite the underlying model’s potential.
Article Summary
OpenAI’s highly anticipated GPT-5 launch experienced significant setbacks, highlighted by technical glitches, user complaints, and a noticeable divergence between internal benchmarks and real-world performance. Initial reports from ChatGPT Plus users and developers revealed issues with the new automatic model router, dubbed the ‘autoswitcher,’ which led to a dramatically reduced performance compared to user expectations. Furthermore, OpenAI’s internal benchmarks don’t align with user feedback, with GPT-5 failing on basic math, logic, and coding tasks. These issues extended to developer feedback, where GPT-5 consistently performed worse than competitors like Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.1. OpenAI has responded by reinstating access to earlier models like GPT-4o for Plus users, doubling rate limits, and implementing changes to the model decision boundary. However, the hasty launch and subsequent problems have created opportunities for rivals to gain market share, and OpenAI faces the challenge of demonstrating GPT-5's true potential.Key Points
- OpenAI’s GPT-5 launch was marred by technical issues, including faulty model switching and inconsistent performance.
- User feedback and developer reports highlighted significant performance drops compared to expectations, particularly in basic tasks like math and coding.
- OpenAI has taken corrective action, reinstating older models and adjusting the system to address user concerns, but the launch has provided an opportunity for competitors.