ChatGPT-5 Disappoints: OpenAI's New AI Model Does Not Suit Everyone

The highly anticipated launch of ChatGPT-5 turned into a disaster on social media. Presented by Sam Altman as the smartest AI ever created, the new model is accused by a large portion of users of degrading the experience compared to its predecessors. This backlash breaks out as rivals like DeepSeek quickly gain ground. Did Sam Altman offer a dream… for a harsh awakening?

Launch euphoria gives way to disappointment

This Thursday, Sam Altman grandly presented ChatGPT-5, promising a “major upgrade” and a “significant step” towards general artificial intelligence.

Yet, barely 48 hours later, Reddit and social networks were ablaze with criticism. The complaints pile up: stricter rate limits, inability to revert to older models, responses deemed “generic” and “sanitized.” 

One user bitterly sums up the mood: “They turned it into a beige corporate zombie who completely forgot it was your best friend two days ago.“

Under pressure, Altman urgently reacted on X, announcing a doubling of rate limits for Plus subscribers. A conciliatory gesture that nevertheless raises a question: how could a company valued at 157 billion dollars have so underestimated the reception of its flagship product?

Beyond the incident, it is the growing gap between marketing promises and users’ real expectations that is striking. 

Used to the spectacular advances of previous updates, many consider GPT-5’s improvements too limited. This perception fuels the idea of a clear slowdown in innovation, suggesting that the technological progress curve now reaches a plateau.

The open source AI revolution threatens OpenAI’s hegemony

User dissatisfaction arises at the worst possible moment for OpenAI. Sam Altman’s firm faces fierce competition from open source platforms that are stealing market share. 

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, symbolizes this offensive. Its R1-0528 model now matches OpenAI-o3’s performance on benchmark tests.

The numbers speak for themselves: 75 million downloads for the DeepSeek app since January. A meteoric success that reflects massive demand for transparent alternatives to proprietary “black boxes.” These users avoid the restrictions imposed by tech giants.

Ironically, OpenAI, which once carried the banner of openness – as its name suggests – now finds itself challenged on this ground by actors more faithful to this original philosophy.

This phenomenon is part of a broader movement: the rapid democratization of AI. Technical barriers are falling, tools are multiplying, and new entrants disrupt a market that seemed locked.

Meanwhile, the European Union tightens its AI Act, imposing transparency, traceability, and respect for copyright to generalist AIs like ChatGPT. An evolution that could paradoxically benefit open source actors, naturally better aligned with these requirements.

Thus, the GPT-5 controversy could mark a strategic turning point. Between disillusioned users, more agile competition, and an increasingly restrictive regulatory environment, OpenAI stakes a lot. The question remains whether the GPT-5 fiasco is just a setback… or the harbinger of the end of ChatGPT’s golden age.