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Should we be concerned that people have developed a fierce attachment to ChatGPT? Even OpenAI's CEO isn't so sure.
In a lengthy Sunday night tweet, Sam Altman wrote that he "can imagine a future where a lot of people really trust ChatGPT’s advice for their most important decisions. Although that could be great, it makes me uneasy."
ChatGPT is on track to reach 700 million weekly active users, up from 500 million at the end of March and a fourfold increase since last year, Head of ChatGPT Nick Turley tweeted last week. A few days later, OpenAI unleashed GPT-5, which is supposed to offer a major intelligence upgrade. But in a twist, some users revolted, irritated by OpenAI's decision to retire older models, including the apparently much-beloved GPT-4o.
In response to the backlash, Altman restored GPT-4o for paying ChatGPT subscribers.
In his tweet, he acknowledged "how much of an attachment some people have to specific AI models," adding, "It feels different and stronger than the kinds of attachment people have had to previous kinds of technology (and so suddenly deprecating old models that users depended on in their workflows was a mistake)."
This comes as a minority of users treat and view ChatGPT as a friend, raising fears about digital addiction and AI giving bad advice, encouraging delusions, and fueling conspiracy theories.
Altman’s concerns are a bit ironic and contradictory since strong user attachment to a product is exactly what many tech CEOs dream of. For example, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is betting AI chatbots can be a stand-in for your real friends, driving user growth and activity. In launching GPT-5 last week, Altman himself hyped up the model for its ability to offer users a team of PhD-level experts, including useful health advice.
According to Altman, OpenAI has been closely tracking the AI attachment issue. “Most users can keep a clear line between reality and fiction or role-play, but a small percentage cannot,” he said. “We value user freedom as a core principle, but we also feel responsible in how we introduce new technology with new risks.”
His major concern is about “edge cases,” where the user's attachment to ChatGPT becomes borderline unhealthy in a more subtle way. Altman noted that some people use the chatbot as a therapist or life coach, which can be “really good” — assuming the user receives helpful information. The problem is when ChatGPT gives harmful advice or contributes to bad habits, even though a user might be happy with the interactions.
Altman didn’t offer any specific solutions. But he noted: “Soon billions of people may be talking to an AI in this way. So we (we as in society, but also we as in OpenAI) have to figure out how to make it a big net positive.
“There are several reasons I think we have a good shot at getting this right. We have much better tech to help us measure how we are doing than previous generations of technology had,” he added.
Over the long term, it's unclear how OpenAI will deal with the paid users attached to 4o. But Altman says, "Generally we plan to follow the principle of 'treat adult users like adults,' which in some cases will include pushing back on users to ensure they are getting what they really want."
In the meantime, the GPT-5 rollout has also sparked debate over whether the AI model is actually an improvement. Our own tests so far suggest the new model is a disappointment.