Just a week after launching GPT-5 on August 7, 2025, OpenAI introduced an update to make the AI’s tone noticeably “warmer and friendlier”, responding directly to widespread user feedback that the model felt too formal and detached compared to its predecessor GPT-4o.
What’s Changed
- The updated GPT-5 now uses subtle, personable acknowledgments like “Good question” or “Great start”, making interactions feel more natural without veering into overtly flattering or “sycophantic” territory.
- Internal testing shows these changes do not increase sycophancy, preserving GPT-5’s integrity while enhancing emotional resonance.
Why It Happened
- The initial launch of GPT-5 saw many users dissatisfied with its “cold,” overly professional tone. Requests flooded in to restore the warmth users appreciated in GPT-4o.
- CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that OpenAI “underestimated how much of the things people like in GPT-4o matter to them.” He emphasized the need for greater user customization of AI personalities.
What’s Next
- OpenAI has reintroduced GPT-4o (with its more expressive tone) as an option for paying users, giving users more control over their conversational experience.
- The company plans to expand per-user customization, enabling users to steer how GPT-5 communicates—and offering personality styles that suit different preferences or contexts.
Why This Matters
| Area | Insight |
|---|---|
| User Experience | A more personal tone restores the emotional connection many users valued. |
| Model Design | Striking a balance between friendliness and professional integrity remains a key challenge. |
| Customization | The future of AI interaction may be highly personalized—not one-size-fits-all. |
| Emotional Impact | OpenAI’s change underscores how deeply users can bond with AI personalities.Financial Times |
Conclusion
OpenAI’s update to make GPT-5 “warmer and friendlier” demonstrates its responsiveness to user sentiment and emotional need. Rather than producing the AI with a purely analytical tone, this adjustment—adding subtle, human-like touches—is a win for more engaging and emotionally intelligent interactions. As customization options expand, users will be able to choose personality styles that best suit their own style and emotional preferences.
