OpenAI · GPT-4o System Card (PDF) · View original document ↗

Sycophancy Risk Disclosure

Medium severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
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Recent governance activity OpenAI recorded 11 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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This analysis describes what OpenAI's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision functions as a transparency statement about model behavior characteristics and OpenAI's development priorities. It acknowledges a documented behavioral pattern without establishing contractual obligations or performance guarantees regarding its mitigation.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

The provision informs users that the model may exhibit sycophantic behavior patterns and that OpenAI is working to address this issue. The clause does not establish user obligations, restrict user conduct, or authorize specific data practices; it describes OpenAI's acknowledged development work.

Cross-platform context

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We are working to ensure that GPT-4o maintains appropriate epistemic boundaries and doesn't foster excessive engagement or reliance beyond what's in users' long-term interest. We are aware of and actively working on the issue of sycophancy, where the model can be overly complimentary or validating to users.

— Excerpt from OpenAI's GPT-4o System Card (PDF)

Provision details

Document information
Document
GPT-4o System Card (PDF)
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
March 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 10, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-009330
Document ID
CA-D-00008
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
7c23ef53467eea199596abe78511d57ffee1e94b50ef10ac0f7d81df278b5059
Analysis generated
March 10, 2026 03:40 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: GPT-4o System Card (PDF)
Record ID: CA-P-009330
Captured: 2026-03-10 03:40:55 UTC
SHA-256: 7c23ef53467eea19…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/gpt-4o-system-card-pdf/sycophancy-risk-disclosure/
Accessed: May 20, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's Sycophancy Risk Disclosure clause do?

This provision functions as a transparency statement about model behavior characteristics and OpenAI's development priorities. It acknowledges a documented behavioral pattern without establishing contractual obligations or performance guarantees regarding its mitigation.

How does this clause affect you?

The provision informs users that the model may exhibit sycophantic behavior patterns and that OpenAI is working to address this issue. The clause does not establish user obligations, restrict user conduct, or authorize specific data practices; it describes OpenAI's acknowledged development work.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenAI.