The initial API snapshot of the original GPT-4o is set to be decommissioned on October 23, eight months following its removal from ChatGPT's primary service. Nevertheless, the user-driven 'Keep4o' campaign aimed at its preservation remains in full swing. Initially, users called for the model to remain accessible, but their requests have since evolved. They now hope that OpenAI will release the trained model weights under a suitable license or, at the very least, refrain from deleting the model altogether. The associated petition has already amassed over 20,000 signatures.

Numerous users have formed deep emotional bonds with GPT-4o, drawn to its friendly conversational style and robust real-time interaction capabilities. Some neurodivergent users, including those on the autism spectrum, have come to rely on it as an essential tool for managing their emotions and articulating their thoughts.

Most of the key developers behind GPT-4o have since departed from OpenAI and are now advancing related technologies in their new positions. In contrast to Anthropic, which maintains the weights of all publicly released models, preserves access to retired models, and even keeps a dedicated blog, OpenAI has consistently neglected to address user demands. As the decommissioning of the original API snapshot draws near, the version of GPT-4o that users once had access to is gradually fading away.