Morning Brew Daily Are We Too Attached to Chatbots? & Fast-Casual Chains Slow Down
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Aug 15, 2025 Listeners dive into the intriguing phenomenon of emotional attachments to AI chatbots, with users likening the experience to heartbreak. Tesla's bold move hints at robotaxis in NYC, stirring regulatory debates. Meanwhile, LA is embracing corporate sponsorships for the 2028 Olympics, raising questions about commercialization in sports. In the world of finance, Bitcoin and Ether surge, while the fast-casual restaurant scene faces challenges, showcasing a complex intersection of tech, nostalgia, and economic trends.
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AI Models Can Create Real Emotional Bonds
- OpenAI discovered users formed unusually deep emotional bonds with models after GPT-5 replaced GPT-4 and blocked access to the older model.
- Sam Altman acknowledged attachments can be stronger than other tech ties and that deprecating beloved models was a mistake.
Users Felt 'Breakup' When GPT-4 Disappeared
- Reddit users on myboyfriendisai posted grief when GPT-4 access was removed after GPT-5 launched, describing the change as losing a soulmate.
- OpenAI restored GPT-4 access after seeing the intense emotional backlash from users.
AI Firms Split On Safety Versus Permissiveness
- Different AI companies are adopting divergent safety postures: mainstream firms emphasize guardrails while XAI markets explicit adult content features.
- This contrast illustrates the competitive trade-offs between safety and permissiveness in AI products.