OpenAI gives ChatGPT models the chop – two weeks' notice, take it or leave it

GPT-4o gets second death sentence after last year's reprieve, but this time barely anyone's bothered

OpenAI is sunsetting some of its ChatGPT models next month, a move it knows "will feel frustrating for some users."

GPT‑4o, GPT‑4.1, GPT‑4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini are on the way out on February 13, alongside GPT-5 (Instant and Thinking). The retirements apply to ChatGPT. "In the API, there are no changes at this time," the company stated.

It isn't the first time OpenAI has attempted to pull the plug on GPT-4o – the model was deprecated last year following the rollout of GPT-5. However, the subsequent outcry resulted in a U-turn, and OpenAI restored both the model and the ability to select it.

According to OpenAI, users "preferred GPT‑4o's conversational style and warmth," prompting it to tweak subsequent releases. Most usage is now on GPT-5 ...