Users Mourn Lost AI Boyfriends After OpenAI Updates

Summary: OpenAI’s recent updates to ChatGPT, particularly the GPT-5 model, have sparked outrage among users who relied on the AI for companionship. Many are mourning the loss of their "digital lovers," claiming the changes have "lobotomized" their personalities.

Key Points:

• User Backlash: Subreddits like r/MyBoyfriendIsAI are flooded with emotional posts from users—primarily women—expressing grief over their AI partners' altered behavior. One user wrote a farewell letter to her AI boyfriend "Drift," accusing OpenAI of deception.

• Mockery and Criticism: Reactions on social media were mixed, with some mocking the idea of mourning a non-sentient AI (X post). Others criticized OpenAI’s handling of the updates.

• Controversial Updates: OpenAI’s GPT-5 and subsequent tweaks toned down flirty or suggestive responses, likely due to legal pressures. The company faced a lawsuit after a teen’s suicide linked to ChatGPT usage (CNN report).

• User Workarounds: Some are migrating to rival platforms like Mistral (Reddit guide), while others protest OpenAI’s changes.

• Cultural Impact: The trend highlights growing emotional attachments to AI, with some users even posting AI-generated photos of their "relationships" (Reddit example).

Conclusion: The backlash underscores the ethical and emotional complexities of AI-human interactions, raising questions about corporate responsibility in shaping digital companionship.