The GPT-4 Era Comes to an End
OpenAI has just announced a symbolic decision: on February 13, 2026, GPT-4o will be permanently retired from ChatGPT, alongside GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and o4-mini. A significant chapter in the history of conversational AI is closing.
This announcement marks the complete transition to the GPT-5 generation, launched a few months ago and which has quickly won over nearly all users.
Why Now?
The numbers speak for themselves: only 0.1% of ChatGPT users still choose GPT-4o daily. This massive migration to GPT-5.2 shows that users have embraced the new generation without looking back.
Yet OpenAI had initially retired GPT-4o, only to bring it back after protests from Plus and Pro subscribers who appreciated its conversational style and "warmth," especially for creative tasks.
Lessons Learned by OpenAI
This temporary return wasn't in vain. OpenAI claims to have integrated this feedback directly into GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2, with significant improvements:
- Enhanced personality: More control over response tone and style
- Better creative support: Creative ideation, GPT-4o's strong suit, is now native in GPT-5
- Advanced customization: Base styles like "Friendly" and settings for warmth and enthusiasm
Beyond the Model: An Evolving Philosophy
OpenAI is working on a version of ChatGPT designed specifically for adults over 18, based on a simple principle: "treating adults like adults." This approach aims to reduce unnecessary refusals and overly cautious responses.
The API Remains Unchanged
Important note for developers: this announcement only concerns ChatGPT. The API remains unchanged for now, allowing companies to continue using GPT-4 models as needed.
The End of an Era
GPT-4o marked an important milestone. Its disappearance is a reminder of the dizzying pace of innovation in this field. February 13th will mark the official end of the GPT-4 era in ChatGPT.