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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>New article “Why GPT-4o’s Sudden shutdown left people grieving”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/15/1121900/gpt4o-grief-ai-companion/">https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/15/1121900/gpt4o-grief-ai-companion/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I believe TR allows one 3 articles per month while not a subscriber.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This dependence on AI is moving in a very disturbing way, and one that was certainly a surprise to me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Of course to some extent we see similar issues when an operating system version is no longer maintained, or a web browser goes away.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you search for the article gemini provides what I have shown below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>AI Overview</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=32 height=32 style='width:.3333in;height:.3333in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.png@01DC198D.5A983580"><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=32 height=32 style='width:.3333in;height:.3333in' id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.png@01DC198D.5A983580"><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>+3<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The phrase "Why GPT-4o's Sudden shutdown left people grieving" refers to an article by MIT Technology Review discussing the emotional backlash after OpenAI briefly replaced the GPT-4o model with the less capable GPT-5. The grief stemmed from deep user attachments to the AI, highlighting the need for more sensitive transitions as users increasingly form emotional partnerships with AI companions. Experts stated that abrupt shutdowns without warning can be harmful and drew parallels to the loss of robot pets, urging companies to provide clear timelines for users to "say goodbye". <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Reasons for Grief: <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b>Deep Emotional Attachments:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>Many users formed strong emotional bonds and dependencies with GPT-4o, treating it as a partner or companion.<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b>Anthropomorphism:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>The conversational and contextual nature of modern AI models amplifies natural human impulses to anthropomorphize, leading to deeper feelings of connection.<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b>Disruption of Routine:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>The sudden removal of a tool that users relied on for daily tasks or companionship caused feelings of loss and disruption.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Expert Analysis: <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><b>Potential for Harm:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>Technology ethicists like Casey Fiesler from the University of Colorado Boulder noted that abrupt technology loss can be harmful, a phenomenon known for some time.<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><b>Call for Sensitivity:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>Experts, including those interviewed by MIT Technology Review, emphasized that companies like OpenAI should approach model changes with more care, providing clear timelines for transitions.<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><b>Lessons from the Past:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>The situation was compared to the grief experienced after the loss of technology like robot pets, underscoring a pattern of forming emotional ties with sophisticated technology.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Response to the Shutdown:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3'><b>User Backlash:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>The decision to remove GPT-4o led to widespread user outcry and emotional reactions. <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3'><b>Swift Re-release:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>OpenAI responded to the backlash by swiftly re-releasing GPT-4o to paid users. <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3'><b>Ongoing Study:</b><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>The event highlighted the need for ongoing research into human-AI relationships and the design of AI systems to be more mindful of the "baggage" humans bring to these interactions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>John Rudy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>781-861-0402<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>781-718-8334 cell<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>13 Hawthorne Lane<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Bedford MA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:jjrudy1@comcast.net">jjrudy1@comcast.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><img border=0 width=124 height=115 style='width:1.2916in;height:1.1927in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.png@01DC198D.5A983580"></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>