Big Technology Podcast Did OpenAI Break ChatGPT?, Apple’s New iPhones, Saving Intel
218 snips
Aug 29, 2025 
M.G. Siegler, author of Spyglass and an expert in Big Tech strategy and AI, joins to dissect whether OpenAI's rollout of GPT-5 was a blunder. He explores user backlash and emotional ties to AI, questioning corporate accountability. The conversation turns to Apple's upcoming iPhone lineup, including a foldable model, and the challenges facing Intel, now partly owned by the U.S. government under the CHIPS Act. Insights into tech competition and the future of AI also flow, offering a riveting glimpse into the industry's evolving landscape.
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Scale Means Strong Backlash
- Major product changes on large user bases always trigger backlash because users resist large-scale change.
- OpenAI underestimated the emotional reach and depth of ChatGPT relationships before GPT-5's rollout.
UI Change Plus Model Swap Misstep
- OpenAI combined a big model upgrade with a major UI simplification and misjudged user preferences.
- Simplifying the model picker helped mainstream users but angered power users who lost choice.
Users Treat Chatbots As Companions
- Alex described users treating ChatGPT as a companion and losing access to more empathetic models caused intense reactions.
- He cited recent tragic stories where people relied on bots as confidants before harmful outcomes.