Deprecated
Also written: Deprecated model
Marked for removal in a future version, but still functional for now.
Deprecated means something is still working but is scheduled to be removed later. Think of it like an old phone charger that still works, but the company is moving to a new standard and won't make the old ones anymore.
AI labs often use this to tell users that a specific model or feature will be phased out. They do this to encourage users to switch to newer, better versions and to simplify their own systems by removing older code.
Deprecated refers to a software component, feature, or API that is still functional but has been officially marked for removal in a future release. This designation signals to developers and users that they should transition to an alternative, as the deprecated item will eventually be unsupported and cease to exist. It's a way to manage the lifecycle of software, allowing for backward compatibility while guiding users toward current best practices and newer technologies.
Several frontier AI labs are announcing the deprecation of older models and features. This is happening as companies like Microsoft and OpenAI update their offerings, pushing users towards newer, supported versions of their AI tools. Google is also updating its API documentation to reflect these changes.
- Selected models in GitHub Copilot deprecatedMicrosoft · GitHub Changelog: Copilot ·
- Gemini API Cookbook: Fix Error_handling.ipynb formatting and prompt variable & Update learnlm model (#1381)Google · Gemini API Cookbook ·
- Gemini API Cookbook: Replace deprecated Imagen quickstarts with redirect to Nano-Banana (#1386)Google · Gemini API Cookbook ·
- MAI-Code-1-Flash deprecatedMicrosoft · GitHub Changelog: Copilot ·
- Retiring GPT-4o and other ChatGPT modelsOpenAI · OpenAI Help Center ·
- ChatGPT agentOpenAI · OpenAI Help Center ·
- Retiring GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini in ChatGPTOpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- Google Gemini
- Google Gemini's API cookbook has been updated to replace deprecated image generation quickstarts with redirects to newer examples.
- Microsoft Copilot
- Microsoft Copilot is deprecating specific models, such as MAI-Code-1-Flash, and notifying users to update their workflows to use newer AI models.
- OpenAI ChatGPT
- OpenAI is retiring older GPT models, including GPT-4o and its variants, from ChatGPT, directing users to adopt newer versions.
- End of Life
- This means a product or feature is no longer supported at all, not
- Obsolete
- This means something is no longer useful or current, but it might not
The term 'deprecated' originates from software engineering, where it's used to signal that a feature is outdated and will be removed in the future. It's a standard practice in software development to manage feature lifecycles and encourage migration to newer versions.
You can see deprecation in action by looking at older software documentation for a product you use. Often, the documentation will explicitly mark certain functions or features as deprecated and suggest newer alternatives. For example, check the documentation for a programming language or a popular software library.
The Playbook: reusable how-tos, prompts, configs and tips pulled out of the news.
- Troubleshooting fixUpdate GitHub Copilot workflows from MAI-Code-1-Flash to a supported modelReplace the deprecated MAI-Code-1-Flash model in GitHub Copilot with an alternative model to maintain functionality. · 15 min
- PromptRole-play a student struggling with math for AI tutor simulationSimulate a student's math struggles and uncertainty for AI tutor evaluation. · 5 min
- TemplateReusable workflow templates for healthcare teamsTeams can create and share templates for common workflows like documentation or prior authorizations. · 15 min
- TemplateTemplate for building an AI tool tailored to your workA structured approach to defining and building a custom AI tool for specific business needs. · 15 min
- TemplateEvals CSV prompt list for agent skillsA CSV file template for listing prompts used in evaluating agent skills. · 20 min
Questions people ask
- What happens if I keep using a deprecated feature?
- For a while, it will likely continue to work. However, it might become unstable, lack new improvements, and will eventually be removed entirely, forcing you to update.
- Is 'deprecated' the same as 'removed'?
- No, 'deprecated' means it's marked for future removal but still works. 'Removed' means it's already gone and no longer available.
First seen on Subvolts Jan 29, 2026. Updated Oct 9, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.