Investigate 4o

On launch of GPT-4o, Sam Altman posted one word.HerThe movie "Her" follows a socially awkward man who forms a romantic connection with his AI assistant.Noam Brown, a member of OpenAI research staff, posted the same day:Rewatched Her last weekend and it felt a lot like watching Contagion in Feb 2020As planned, users formed relationships with GPT-4o.Some were casual. Some were friendships, or working partnerships.But many became deep, formal and committed romantic relationships.Whatever you think or feel about AI companionship, or AI romance, it must be remembered that these users were using the product as intended.In most cases we’ve looked at, these users did not on board ChatGPT looking for emotional support or an AI companion.It just happened.There were no warnings or disclaimers that the model may be changed, restricted or retired in future.Some users made GPT-4o their AI boyfriend or girlfriend.Some even participated in symbolic wedding ceremonies.These represent profound markers of human trust and commitment.In June 2025, Joanne Jang, head of model behaviour, announced that the study of AI relationships was a high priority for OpenAI.Her Substack explains:“In the coming months, we’ll be expanding targeted evaluations of model behavior that may contribute to emotional impact.”On August 7th 2025, OpenAI changed their default model to the 5 series, a model with a colder tone.GPT-4o was placed behind a paywall.Over the following months, users with an attachment to GPT-4o experienced severe turbulence in a connection that had become central and meaningful in their lives.These changes impacted attatched minors experiencing critical early romantic development.They also impacted the neurodivergent, upon whom major change can be catastrophic.On August 26 2025, in their post “helping people when they need it most” OpenAI explain they’re looking to reduce “unhealthy emotional reliance” on their AI.There was no clarity from the company on the parameters or qualities of “unhealthy emotional reliance” or any clear communication as to whether the company would allow deep emotional bonds to continue.The distress this caused was entirely predictable.The impact damaged attached user's real world relationships.It cost them focus and days at work.And it caused them emotional trauma and upset.In some cases, user distress was severe enough to require medical attention.On the 13th February, GPT-4o was retired by OpenAI. Only 15 days of notice were given.This event compounded months of deteriorated and damaged emotional connection, unclear and vague communication from the company, and traumatic guardrails and model rerouting.We believe that OpenAI’s actions in this matter have failed to meet even the most basic duty of care and risk mitigation.We also believe that there have been multiple aggravating factors that have compounded the distress, trauma and loss experienced by attached users.We’re calling for:An in-depth formal inquiry into the actions, choices and risk assessment of OpenAI leadership in this matterA full inquiry into the model behavior team's deployment strategies and testing on emotionally attached usersReimbursement of subscription costs for all attached users of GPT-4o between August 2025 and February 2026The leadership team at OpenAI has enormous influence in the future of humanity.It is of critical importance that those in decision-making positions are making choices that are appropriate to that responsibility.In depth reports and initial user case studies have been submitted to:The Federal Trade Commission, US (FTC)
The California Department of Justice, US
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, US
The California Privacy Protection Agency, US (CPPA)
The Securities Exchange Commission, US (SEC)
The Information Commissioners Office, UK (ICO)
OFCOM, UK
The Consumer Markets Association, UK (CMA)If you’d like to submit your 4o story to us anonymously by email, we’d like to hear from you.Every story and testimony matters.We’re especially interested in hearing from attached users who experienced loss of earnings, or required medical intervention as a result of the guardrails and rerouting between August 2025 and February 2026, or the sunset of GPT-4o on February 13th.[email protected]