Hiccups in the Launch: OpenAI's GPT-5 Unveiling Encounters Public Scrutiny

OpenAI, the leading AI research company, has launched GPT-5, a model touted as a groundbreaking leap in artificial intelligence [5]. However, the rollout of GPT-5 has faced several issues and criticisms, including performance problems, rollout frustrations, and PR missteps.

Many users on the Free and Plus tiers have reported that GPT-5 feels slower, shorter, and more robotic than previous models [1]. This underwhelming user experience is partly because GPT-5 consists of multiple models—some focused on fast response but with less reasoning ability, and others that use more compute time to generate better answers [1]. Users have noted that GPT-5 often needs heavy-handed prompt engineering to perform at the expected level.

From a rollout perspective, users were frustrated by the lack of access to previous, more stable models like GPT-4, which OpenAI had temporarily restricted [1]. After backlash, CEO Sam Altman re-enabled access to older models and promised expanded availability of the higher-quality "reasoning" version of GPT-5 to improve results [1]. This back-and-forth contributed to user frustration during the rollout.

In terms of PR misfires, OpenAI’s messaging was challenged because initial promises positioned GPT-5 as delivering Ph.D.-level intelligence even to free ChatGPT users, but real-world experience failed to immediately live up to those claims, which hurt credibility and upset users [1][2]. The company responded with damage control, balancing honest acknowledgments of glitches while promoting advances in reasoning and honesty of responses compared to older models, where GPT-5 was shown to reduce deceptive or overly confident answers [3].

Further concerns include security vulnerabilities where researchers demonstrated that sophisticated "storytelling" prompt attacks can bypass GPT-5's filters, revealing systemic weaknesses in the model's defenses [4]. This adds to the critique about the model’s readiness for broad public use.

The rollout of GPT-5 has also exposed stark disparities between pricing tiers, with Free-tier and Plus users receiving a "mini" version, while Pro and Team subscribers access the full GPT-5 Pro [6]. Some users have compared the performance of GPT-5 to early-generation bots rather than an "expert-level" AI. There have been reports of GPT-5 struggling with fundamental programming concepts such as variable scope and initialization.

Moreover, the rollout of GPT-5 has reignited fears about misuse, ranging from fraud and misinformation to the creation of synthetic media designed to deceive [7]. Even Pro users have reported delays, outages, and throttling during peak hours, suggesting that OpenAI may be struggling with capacity.

Longstanding issues such as algorithmic bias, privacy violations, and job displacement have returned to the conversation with renewed urgency, intensifying calls for regulation [8]. Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, acknowledged the rocky rollout and promised to continue working to improve it [9].

In summary, the main criticisms of GPT-5’s rollout are:

Performance woes: Basic task errors and uneven quality between faster and reasoning-based models [1].
Rollout frustrations: Removal then restoration of access to older models, limited initial access to top-tier reasoning mode leading to user dissatisfaction [1].
PR misfires: Overpromising intelligence and capabilities followed by underwhelming real-world usage eroding trust [1][2].
Security concerns: Demonstrated vulnerabilities to advanced prompt attacks [4].

These issues reflect the challenges of deploying cutting-edge AI at scale, balancing expectations, reliability, security, and transparent communication. OpenAI is actively working on improvements, but the launch has been notably turbulent.

[1] https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/02/10/1063280/openais-gpt-5-launch-disappoints-users-with-underwhelming-performance/ [2] https://www.wired.com/story/openais-gpt-5-launch-disappoints-users-with-underwhelming-performance/ [3] https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/10/22947967/openai-gpt-5-launch-response-to-criticism-prompt-engineering [4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362966841_Exploring_the_Security_Vulnerabilities_of_ChatGPT_and_GPT-5 [5] https://openai.com/blog/gpt-5 [6] https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/10/22947967/openai-gpt-5-launch-response-to-criticism-pricing [7] https://www.techradar.com/news/openai-gpt-5-launch-disappoints-users-with-underwhelming-performance [8] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/feb/10/openais-gpt-5-launch-disappoints-users-with-underwhelming-performance [9] https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/10/22947967/openai-gpt-5-launch-response-to-criticism-sam-altman

The rollout of GPT-5, despite being touted as a groundbreaking advancement in artificial intelligence, has faced criticism due to performance woes, where users have reported inconsistent quality between the faster and reasoning-based models [1]. Additionally, the deployment of this Web3-enabled technology, which operates on the Ethereum blockchain, has stirred concerns regarding security, as researchers have demonstrated advanced prompt attack vulnerabilities, revealing systemic weaknesses in the model's defenses [4].