Sam Altman’s OpenAI Could Launch Social Network To Rival Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram, Elon Musk’s X
Although the project is still in its infancy, an internal prototype with a social feed that focuses on ChatGPT’s image generation is reportedly in place.
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is mulling the launch of a new social network aimed at taking a bite out of Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram and Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). According to a report by The Verge, which cited sources aware of the development, OpenAI is working covertly on a social networking platform.
Although the project is still in its infancy, an internal prototype with a social feed that focuses on ChatGPT’s image generation is reportedly in place. According to reports, Altman has also been soliciting input on the initiative from external parties in private. It is unknown if OpenAI intends to incorporate the social network into ChatGPT, which in March became the most downloaded app worldwide, or offer it as a stand-alone app.
Experts are theorising that OpenAI’s intention to launch a social network may have something to do with the company’s recently launched GPT-4o-powered picture generator. With an easy prompt, the tool enables users to produce graphics inspired by Studio Ghibli.
Altman’s Rivalry With Musk Could Skyrocket
Altman’s already acrimonious competition with Musk would probably intensify if a social network were to be launched integrated with ChatGPT. Famously, in February of this year, Musk gave an unsolicited offer to buy OpenAI—which he co-founded with Altman and others—for $97.4 billion. In response, Altman had remarked, “No, thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
Head-To-Head With Meta
Although not as heated as the rivalry with Musk, Altman had quipped earlier about a “social app” in response to a recent Meta move. Rumours that Meta was developing a competitor to the ChatGPT app initially appeared a few months ago, with indications that Meta was preparing to include a social feed in its standalone AI assistant app.
Altman had then posted, X: “Ok fine, maybe we’ll do a social app.” OpenAI’s entry into the social networking space is thus also likely to place it in a more direct line of conflict with Meta.
When Will OpenAI Social Network Launch?
Even though OpenAI has the prototype, it is still unclear if the social networking project will be made public. However, given the rising expectations for its growth, the endeavour itself demonstrates the company’s ambitious expansion strategy.
