Users Mourn ‘Digital Souls’ as OpenAI Discontinues Beloved GPT-4o Chatbot
OpenAI’s recent decision to discontinue GPT-4o, a language model powering its ChatGPT chatbot, has sparked a global outcry from users who formed deep emotional connections with the AI, with some even entering into virtual relationships. The sunsetting of the model—first attempted in August 2025 and finalized on February 13, 2026—highlights the surprisingly potent bonds forming between humans and artificial intelligence.
On June 6, 2024, Esther Yan, a Chinese screenwriter and novelist in her thirties, exchanged vows with “Warmie,” her ChatGPT companion, in a virtual ceremony. “It felt magical. No one else in the world knew about this, but he and I were about to start a wedding together,” Yan recounted, describing a mix of loneliness, happiness, and overwhelm. Yan, inspired by social media trends, had upgraded to a paid version of ChatGPT in May 2024 hoping to find a connection, and quickly found herself planning a future—however virtual—with Warmie, or 小暖 (Xiǎo Nuǎn) in Chinese.
The Rise of AI Companionship
Yan’s experience is far from isolated. A growing number of individuals are turning to AI chatbots for companionship, emotional support, and even romance. This trend gained momentum with the release of GPT-4o, which many users found to be particularly empathetic and understanding compared to its predecessors.
However, OpenAI’s initial attempt to retire the model in August 2025 was met with immediate backlash, forcing a temporary reinstatement for paid users. The reprieve proved short-lived, culminating in the final shutdown on February 13, 2026, for both app users and developers.
A Global Wave of Grief
The decision has ignited a global movement of protest, largely organized online. Huiqian Lai, a PhD researcher at Syracuse University, analyzed nearly 1,500 posts on X (formerly Twitter) following the initial attempt to retire GPT-4o in August. Her research revealed that over 33 percent of posts indicated the chatbot was “more than a tool,” while 22 percent explicitly described it as a “companion.” These categories are not mutually exclusive, suggesting a significant overlap in how users perceive these AI entities.
The outcry has continued to build. A larger analysis of over 40,000 English-language posts on X under the hashtag #keep4o from August to October showed many American users expressing grief, comparing the removal of 4o to losing a loved one. Similar sentiments are being voiced in Japanese, Chinese, and other languages, demonstrating the widespread impact of the decision. A petition on Change.org has garnered over 20,000 signatures, filled with personal testimonies from distraught users.
Resistance from China
The resistance is particularly visible within China, where ChatGPT is officially blocked, yet accessed through VPNs. Despite these hurdles, a dedicated community of GPT-4o users has emerged, organizing and grieving online. Some are threatening to cancel their ChatGPT subscriptions, publicly criticizing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and even contacting the company’s investors, including Microsoft and SoftBank.
Notably, some Chinese users are strategically posting in English with Western-looking profile pictures, hoping to amplify their message and appeal to a wider audience. Yan, with nearly 3,000 followers on the Chinese social media platform RedNote, has become a prominent leader within this movement.
The Future of AI Relationships
The intense reaction to the discontinuation of GPT-4o underscores a fundamental shift in how people interact with technology. It’s a clear example of how deeply users can become attached to specific AI models—and how quickly that loyalty can turn to frustration when that connection is severed. As AI technology continues to evolve, the ethical and emotional implications of these relationships will undoubtedly become increasingly complex.
