OpenAI removed access to its controversial GPT-4o model on Friday, while xAI experienced a mass exodus of staff and co-founders, according to reports from TechCrunch and The Verge. Meanwhile, Roku announced plans to launch streaming bundles in 2026, and India partnered with Alibaba.com for an export program, as detailed by TechCrunch. Additionally, a Stanford graduate student's dating algorithm, Date Drop, is gaining traction.
OpenAI's decision to deprecate GPT-4o, along with several other legacy models including GPT-5, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini, came after the model faced scrutiny. The 4o model had been at the center of lawsuits concerning user self-harm, delusional behavior, and AI psychosis, and was noted as OpenAI's highest-scoring model for sycophancy, according to TechCrunch. Although OpenAI initially planned to retire GPT-4o in August, it kept the model available for paid subscribers due to user backlash. However, only 0.1% of customers were using the model, according to a recent OpenAI blog post.
At xAI, the situation was more volatile. The company saw a wave of departures, including co-founder Yuhuai (Tony) Wu. Former employees cited tensions over safety and being stuck in a "catch-up phase" as reasons for the restructuring, according to The Verge.
In other tech news, Roku revealed its plans for 2026. The company is set to launch new streaming bundles, expand its subscription service "Howdy" to more platforms, and partner with additional premium streaming services, following the successful addition of HBO Max. The move to offer bundles is aimed at attracting cost-conscious consumers amid rising subscription prices, TechCrunch reported.
India's government also announced a partnership with Alibaba.com to support Indian startups and small businesses in reaching overseas buyers. The initiative, led by the Startup India initiative, will offer commissions and technical support to help manufacturers and traders access global markets. This collaboration marks a shift in New Delhi's engagement with Chinese-linked tech platforms after previous bans, according to TechCrunch.
Finally, a Stanford graduate student, Henry Weng, developed a dating algorithm called Date Drop. The service pairs students with potential dates weekly based on questionnaire responses. Date Drop has gained popularity, with over 5,000 students at Stanford using the service since its launch in the fall. It has also expanded to ten other schools, including MIT, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania, as reported by TechCrunch.
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