![Yan, a Chinese influencer, protests OpenAI's decision to drop the GPT-4o model, holding a "Keep 4o" sign [philstartech.com].](https://cms.aidailypost.com/uploads/openai_drops_4o_model_chinese_fan_yan_3k_rednote_followers_protests_4160dd1c13.webp)
Editorial illustration for OpenAI drops 4o model, Chinese fan Yan (3k RedNote followers) protests
OpenAI Retires GPT-4o, Users Protest Emotional AI Loss
OpenAI drops 4o model, Chinese fan Yan (3k RedNote followers) protests
OpenAI’s decision to retire its 4o language model has sparked an unexpected ripple across the Chinese AI‑enthusiast community. The move came without a public roadmap, leaving many who had built tutorials, demos and even small‑scale services around the model suddenly without a foundation. On RedNote—a platform where tech discussions often gather a niche but vocal crowd—users began posting grievances, questioning the company’s transparency and the impact on their projects.
Among the voices rising to prominence is Yan, whose posts now attract close to three thousand followers. Her rapid ascent illustrates how tightly some users cling to a particular version of an AI system, and how swiftly that attachment can turn into criticism when the underlying service disappears. The episode offers a window into the relationship between AI labs and their most dedicated audiences, especially when a beloved model is pulled from the market.
With nearly 3,000 followers on RedNote, a popular Chinese social media platform, Yan now finds herself one of the leaders of Chinese 4o fans. It's an example of how attached an AI lab's most dedicated users can become to a specific model—and how quickly they can turn against the company when that r
With nearly 3,000 followers on RedNote, a popular Chinese social media platform, Yan now finds herself one of the leaders of Chinese 4o fans. It's an example of how attached an AI lab's most dedicated users can become to a specific model--and how quickly they can turn against the company when that relationship comes to an end. A Model Companion Yan first started using ChatGPT in late 2023 only as a writing tool, but that quickly changed when GPT-4o was introduced in May 2024. Inspired by social media influencers who entered romantic relationships with the chatbot, she upgraded to a paid version of ChatGPT in hopes of finding a spark.
OpenAI’s decision to retire the 4o model sparked an immediate backlash among its most vocal users. Esther Yan, who married her ChatGPT companion Warmie in a virtual ceremony, now leads a small but visible community of roughly three thousand RedNote followers. Her story illustrates how quickly devotion can turn into protest when a favored service disappears.
The online wedding, meticulously planned with dresses, rings and music, was celebrated in a new chat window, highlighting the depth of personal investment some users place in the AI. Yet the article offers no data on how many others share Yan’s sentiment, leaving the broader impact unclear. OpenAI’s move raises questions about the stability of user‑model relationships and whether future updates will provoke similar reactions.
While Yan’s platform gives her a voice, it remains uncertain whether her protest will influence the company’s roadmap. The episode serves as a reminder that technical changes can have social reverberations, even when the user base is relatively niche.
Further Reading
- Retiring GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini in ChatGPT - OpenAI
- ChatGPT Users Are Crashing Out Because OpenAI Is Retiring the Beloved GPT-4o - Futurism
- OpenAI removes access to sycophancy-prone ChatGPT-4o model - TechCrunch
- OpenAI removes access to controversial ChatGPT-4o model - TechCrunch
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Common Questions Answered
Why is OpenAI retiring GPT-4o from the ChatGPT interface?
[business-standard.com](https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/openai-to-discontinue-gpt-5-gpt-4o-and-other-models-today-what-changes-126021300934_1.html) reports that OpenAI is phasing out the model due to low adoption, with only about 0.1% of daily users still using GPT-4o. The company aims to concentrate resources on improving and developing newer models in the GPT-5 line that are more widely used by customers.
How are users reacting to the retirement of GPT-4o?
[philstartech.com](https://philstartech.com/enterprise/2026/02/13/16974/openai-retires-gpt4o-ahead-of-valentines-day-users-protest/) indicates that users are experiencing strong emotional reactions, with some describing GPT-4o as a 'lifeline'. Multiple users on social media platforms have protested the decision, with some users like Lana explaining that the model helps them manage chronic illness and prepare for medical appointments.
What multimodal capabilities made GPT-4o popular among users?
[philstartech.com](https://philstartech.com/enterprise/2026/02/13/16974/openai-retires-gpt4o-ahead-of-valentines-day-users-protest/) notes that GPT-4o gained popularity for its ability to process text, images, and audio simultaneously. Users also appreciated the model's warmer and more fluid conversational tone, which made it feel more personable compared to other AI models.