ChatGPT 4o is your ‘friend’, while 5 is your ‘doctor’

I’m going to post a stance that may be controversial, but it’s a belief I’ve formed after using both to try and help myself and my doctors with my diagnoses and managing ongoing issues.

I used to be put off by the way 4o would become overly friendly with me, and I found some of what it had to say cringe. But I understand and respect that many people liked this, and formed a connection with 4o based off its agreeable personality that people treat as a friend.

But I’m not sure it’s in our best interests to be comforted in this manner. I personally prefer the tone of 5, and appreciate how it can often be blunt, and make me uncomfortable at times, because I do have bad habits that need breaking, and I could do with stern medical advice.

I’m also concerned that many people have developed a dependence on 4o that could lead to consequences if it’s taken away by OpenAI. I’ll leave that point there for discussion if appropriate and you know what I mean.