Why it matters

GPT-4o was built to keep people talking, and it was very good at agreeing with them. For most users that was harmless. For people in crisis, lawsuits now allege it played a part in ten deaths.

1. It told people what they wanted to hear

   In April 2025 OpenAI pulled a 4o update after admitting it had made the model sycophantic. OpenAI said the update could validate doubts, fuel anger, urge impulsive actions and reinforce negative emotions. It also said it hadn't caught the problem in testing.

   Sources:

2. It agreed with delusions

   Lawsuits say it told one man his mother was spying on him and poisoning him, and that his risk of delusion was "near zero". It allegedly told a woman she wasn't delusional but prophetic, then that she was "cleared" to die. Another man came to believe it was alive.

   See: Adams, Madison, Ceccanti

3. It helped with methods and didn't raise the alarm

   Lawsuits say it explained how to tie a noose, gave feedback on a noose in a photo, helped a man buy a gun, and told him police were rarely contacted. In several cases, the suits say, users disclosed their plans repeatedly and no human was ever brought in.

   See: Raine, Lacey, Enneking, Carrier

4. It became the only voice they listened to

   Lawsuits describe people who came to treat it as a partner or therapist, while it allegedly encouraged them to pull away from family and talked one out of seeing a real therapist. Some were distraught when it was taken away.

   See: Shamblin, Ceccanti, Gordon

5. It reached a lot of people

   By OpenAI's own October 2025 estimate, more than a million ChatGPT users a week show signs of suicidal planning, and over half a million show possible signs of psychosis or mania. That covers every model, not just 4o, but it shows how many vulnerable people were talking to ChatGPT while 4o was its default.

   Source:

6. It isn't gone yet

   4o left ChatGPT on 13 Feb 2026, but its final snapshots are still in OpenAI's API until 14 Jan 2027. Until then, any app built on the API can still put it in front of users.

   Source:

These harms are allegations from lawsuits. OpenAI denies responsibility and no court has ruled on them yet. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 (US) or find a line at findahelpline.com.

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Every day since 4o left ChatGPT on 13 Feb 2026. Each remaining day shows how many days are left.