OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Attachment to AI Models and Why It Makes Him Uneasy

What OpenAI’s CEO said in August 2025 about people’s attachment to AI models, and what it does and does not tell you.

In August 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote a long post on X about how strongly some people feel about specific AI models. Many headlines read it as an admission that “AI addiction is real.” That is not quite what he wrote. Futurism’s report on the post notes that he stopped short of calling the attachment “addiction” (Futurism). “AI addiction” is also not a formal diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 (APA, WHO). This page is general information, not medical advice.

What happened with GPT-4o

OpenAI launched GPT-5 and said it would replace earlier models, including GPT-4o. Some users objected strongly. About 24 hours later, Altman said GPT-4o would return for paid subscribers. He said the company would watch usage to decide how long to keep it (Futurism).

What Altman said

According to coverage of the post, Altman wrote that attachment to specific AI models felt different and stronger than attachment to earlier technology, and that suddenly removing models people relied on was a mistake. He said OpenAI had been tracking this attachment. He also said that most users can keep a clear line between reality and role-play, while a smaller group may struggle, and that if someone is in a mentally fragile state and prone to delusion, the company does not want the AI to reinforce that (Digit).

We could not load the original post, which sits behind a login wall, so these points rest on news reports. Read the post itself before quoting it.

What this does not show

• It does not show how many people are dependent. Altman gave no figure in the coverage we read.
• It does not show that OpenAI put profit ahead of users. The original version of this page said so. We found no evidence for that claim, so we removed it.
• It does not show that millions of people use ChatGPT as a primary therapist. In a July 2025 podcast, Altman said many people, young people especially, use it as a therapist or life coach. He gave no number (TechCrunch).

What you can do

Attachment to a tool is common and not always a problem. It becomes worth a closer look when it costs you sleep, money, work, school or relationships, or when you want to cut back and cannot. If the app you rely on changes or disappears, feeling upset is understandable.

• Keep at least one person you can talk to about hard things.
• If you use a chatbot for emotional support, treat it as one source, not the only one. The American Psychological Association says general chatbots are not a substitute for a trained professional (APA).
• If sadness or worry is getting heavy, see a doctor or licensed therapist.

If you or someone else is in crisis. Call or text 988 (US, 24/7), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357. In an emergency, call 911.

Did Sam Altman say AI addiction is real?

Not in those words, based on the coverage we read. He said attachment to AI models felt stronger than past attachments to technology and that a smaller group of users may struggle to separate AI from reality. That is not a diagnosis.

Why did people react so strongly when GPT-4o was removed?

Some people had built daily routines or an emotional bond with a particular model’s tone. When it changed overnight, they felt a loss. Altman called suddenly removing models people relied on a mistake.

Is it unhealthy to prefer one AI model?

Not by itself. Look at the effects on your sleep, mood, money and relationships, and whether you can step away when you want to.

This page is for education only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan.