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ZDNET's key takeaways
OpenAI has made GPT-5 warmer and friendlier.
Many users say they don't want a friendlier ChatGPT.
Challenge lies in finding a balance between simplicity and choice.
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Looking for a kinder, gentler AI model? Then you might like the latest flavor of GPT-5. Other people, though, not so much. On Friday, OpenAI announced an update to its latest AI model designed to improve its personality and quell its critics.
Also: Is ChatGPT Plus still worth $20 when the free version offers so much - including GPT-5?
"We're making GPT-5 warmer and friendlier based on feedback that it felt too formal before," OpenAI said on X. "Changes are subtle, but ChatGPT should feel more approachable now. You'll notice small, genuine touches like 'Good question' or 'Great start,' not flattery. Internal tests show no rise in sycophancy compared to the previous GPT-5 personality. Changes may take up to a day to roll out, more updates soon."
(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)
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