OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and GPT-5 Team Face Tough Questions in Reddit AMA

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and key members of the GPT-5 team recently participated in a Reddit ask-me-anything session where they fielded questions about the new model and addressed requests to bring back the previous model, GPT-4o. The session also delved into some lighter moments, such as the infamous “chart crime” incident.

GPT-5 Introduces Real-Time Router Feature

One of the standout features of GPT-5 is its real-time router, which determines the most suitable model to use for a specific prompt. This allows the system to respond quickly or take more time to consider responses. However, during the AMA on the r/ChatGPT Reddit forum, several users expressed dissatisfaction with GPT-5, stating that it did not perform as well as its predecessor, GPT-4o. Altman acknowledged these concerns, attributing the perceived decrease in performance to issues with the router that occurred during the initial rollout.

Altman reassured users that improvements were underway to address these issues, promising that GPT-5 would demonstrate enhanced performance moving forward. Additionally, efforts were being made to enhance transparency regarding which model was generating responses for specific queries.

Potential Return of GPT-4o for Plus Subscribers

Despite the pushback against GPT-5, Altman acknowledged the feedback from users advocating for the return of GPT-4o, particularly for Plus subscribers. In response, Altman committed to exploring the possibility of allowing Plus users to continue using GPT-4o, citing the need to gather more data to evaluate the tradeoffs effectively.

Furthermore, Altman announced an increase in rate limits for Plus users to facilitate a smoother transition to the new model without concerns about exceeding monthly prompt limits.

Addressing the “Chart Crime” Incident

During the AMA session, Altman faced questions about a misleading chart presented during a live event, which quickly garnered attention as the “chart crime.” The chart in question depicted a lower benchmark score with an inaccurately taller bar, leading to widespread jokes and criticism.

While Altman did not address the chart during the AMA, he later acknowledged the error on social media, referring to it as a “mega chart screwup.” Despite the incident, Altman emphasized that the charts in the official blog post accurately represented the data.

The fallout from the chart mishap led to discussions about the reliability of using GPT for generating charts in corporate presentations. Reviewer Simon Willison also highlighted instances where GPT-5 struggled, such as converting data into a table.

Commitment to Improvement

Altman closed the AMA by reiterating OpenAI’s dedication to addressing user concerns and improving the overall performance of GPT-5. He assured participants that the team would continue to listen to feedback and work towards enhancing the stability and effectiveness of the model.