ChatGPT: New setting allows access to legacy AI models
OpenAI has quietly shifted the default experience for ChatGPT users, automatically directing queries to its latest GPT-5 model. While this streamlined approach may simplify interactions for new users, it introduces a layer of opacity for more advanced individuals who prefer greater control over their AI tools.
The new default means ChatGPT will independently select the most suitable model for each task, aiming to optimize performance without requiring user input. However, for those who value predictability or have specific use cases for earlier iterations, OpenAI has preserved an option to access “legacy” models, including o3 and GPT-4o. This setting, once enabled, allows users to manually choose these older models from an “Other models” menu, granting a degree of control that the new automated default otherwise bypasses.
This manual selection capability, however, is exclusively for past models. For subscribers to ChatGPT Pro, the landscape offers additional choices. These premium users retain the ability to manually select specific versions of GPT-5, namely the “Thinking” and “Pro” iterations. This tiered access underscores OpenAI’s strategy of balancing user experience with feature differentiation, offering advanced capabilities as part of its subscription service.
The decision to make GPT-5 the default likely stems from a desire to showcase the latest advancements and ensure all users benefit from the most powerful available model. Yet, the provision for accessing legacy models acknowledges a diverse user base, some of whom may find older models more suitable for particular workflows, perhaps due to specific performance characteristics, cost efficiency (for API users, though not directly mentioned here for ChatGPT), or simply a preference for a familiar interface or response style. This move highlights a subtle but significant tension in AI product development: the push for automation and cutting-edge performance versus the demand for user agency and historical continuity.