OpenAI has made a significant change to ChatGPT by rolling back its model router system, which was introduced only four months ago. Initially, this automated system aimed to enhance user experience by directing more complex queries to advanced reasoning models. However, OpenAI has now reverted to allowing free and $5 monthly Go users to default back to the faster GPT-5.2 Instant model, while still retaining the option to select reasoning models manually.
The model router was part of OpenAI’s strategy to streamline user interaction with its AI. The system was designed to analyze user inquiries and decide whether to utilize a speedy, cost-effective AI model or a more computationally demanding reasoning model based on the query’s complexity. Public sentiment around the router, however, was not as favorable as OpenAI anticipated. Although the router notably increased the engagement with reasoning models among free users from under 1 percent to 7 percent, many users found the prolonged response times undesirable.
An OpenAI spokesperson cited user feedback as the main driver of this reversion, indicating that free and Go users preferred a consistent chat experience with the capability to manually select reasoning models when desired. The company plans to refine and eventually relaunch the model router for these users as it continues to evolve.
This decision arrives amidst heated competition in the AI domain, particularly against Google. OpenAI has recognized the need to boost usage of ChatGPT, which, despite having over 800 million weekly active users, has recently seen a slight decline in engagement time. The company introduced several measures to enhance user experience, including offering breaks for prolonged conversations, emphasizing content safety, and enhancing classifiers to filter out potentially harmful materials.
Data from audience-tracking firm SimilarWeb suggests that alternatives like Google’s Gemini have grown while ChatGPT’s expansion has stalled. This situation reflects the ongoing challenges OpenAI and other tech companies face in integrating powerful AI technologies into user-friendly applications.
Despite withdrawing the model router for lower-tier users, OpenAI maintains its availability for premium subscribers, indicating the company’s commitment to refining this aspect of its AI offerings and ensuring that the balance between speed and response quality meets user expectations.
