OpenAI is retiring GPT-4 from ChatGPT
OpenAI's GPT-4 model is set to be "fully replaced" by its natively multimodal GPT-4o model. According to ChatGPT's release notes (via TechCrunch), GPT-4 will be retired from ChatGPT on April 30. Despite being released over two years ago, the model will still be available in the API. However, recent updates to GPT-4o have made GPT-4 somewhat obsolete.
The Evolution of OpenAI's Models
Recent advancements have significantly enhanced GPT‑4o’s instruction following, problem-solving, and conversational flow, positioning it as a natural successor to GPT‑4. This fast-paced evolution underscores the absence of GPT-5 in the current AI landscape. GPT-4, introduced in March 2023, marked a significant advancement from GPT-3.5, the preceding model that marked the explosive debut of ChatGPT to the world. Since then, OpenAI has unveiled the multimodal GPT-4o and various iterations of its "o-series" models, showcasing sophisticated "chain-of-thought" reasoning capabilities.
Strategic Simplification and Future Plans
The retirement of GPT-4 aligns with OpenAI's strategic focus to streamline its offerings. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had previously announced plans to make GPT-4.5 the final "non-chain-of-thought model," consolidating efforts to combine the o-series and GPT models into a product tailored to users' requirements. Designating GPT-4o as the default model reflects this initiative towards product optimization.
Currently, OpenAI intends to release o3 and o4-mini as standalone models and has postponed the launch of GPT-5, which Altman anticipates will be available "in a few months." However, GPT-5's release has encountered multiple delays in the past.
Conclusion
As per the release note, GPT-4 has fulfilled its role as a "pivotal moment in ChatGPT’s evolution" and is no longer in service. Rest in peace, GPT-4.
