- GPT-5’s model router has not fully simplified the ChatGPT experience.
- Users can now choose between Auto, Fast, and Thinking modes, plus legacy models.
- Personalization remains key as AI users form attachments to model personalities.
OpenAI’s GPT-5 launch last week aimed to simplify ChatGPT with a unified AI model and a “model router” to automatically select the best responses. CEO Sam Altman envisioned eliminating the complicated model picker, offering a seamless AI experience for users. But early reactions suggest GPT-5 isn’t living up to expectations.
Updates to ChatGPT:
— Sam Altman (@sama) August 13, 2025
You can now choose between “Auto”, “Fast”, and “Thinking” for GPT-5. Most users will want Auto, but the additional control will be useful for some people.
Rate limits are now 3,000 messages/week with GPT-5 Thinking, and then extra capacity on GPT-5 Thinking…
New Settings Give Users More Control
In response to user feedback, OpenAI introduced “Auto,” “Fast,” and “Thinking” settings for GPT-5. While the Auto mode operates like the promised model router, Fast and Thinking let users bypass it entirely, choosing the AI model speed that suits them. Paid users can also access legacy models like GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, and o3, which were briefly deprecated. Altman noted that GPT-5’s personality will soon be updated to feel warmer without being overbearing, and OpenAI plans to allow more per-user customization in the future.
Model Picker Complexity Persists
Despite these changes, GPT-5’s model picker remains complex. The router, intended to streamline interactions, struggled at launch, causing some users to question GPT-5’s performance. OpenAI acknowledged these issues, with VP Nick Turley highlighting the company’s ability to iterate quickly. Routing prompts accurately requires aligning AI models to both user preferences and question types—a task that remains challenging.
We're not always going to get everything on try #1 but I am very proud of how quickly the team can iterate. Keep the feedback coming! https://t.co/WoHqfWYfmG
— Nick Turley (@nickaturley) August 13, 2025
User Attachment to AI Models
The GPT-5 rollout highlights a broader trend: users form attachments to specific AI models. This human preference for model personalities goes beyond speed or verbosity. Recent events, such as a San Francisco memorial for Anthropic’s retired AI Claude 3.5 Sonnet, illustrate the emotional connections users develop with AI personalities, complicating model deprecation decisions.
Also Read: Google Launches AI Mode for Search in India — Gemini-Powered Q&A Tool Now Live
GPT-5 demonstrates OpenAI’s ongoing push for innovation, but user feedback underscores the importance of personalization and model choice. As AI evolves, companies must balance simplifying interfaces with respecting individual user preferences, ensuring new models enhance rather than frustrate the experience.
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