OpenAI is reportedly developing a social network akin to X, as indicated by various sources with knowledge of the project.
Currently in its initial phases, the initiative includes an internal prototype centered around ChatGPT’s image generation capabilities, which features a social feed. CEO Sam Altman has been soliciting feedback from external parties regarding the venture. It remains uncertain whether OpenAI intends to launch the social network as a distinct application or incorporate it within ChatGPT, which recently achieved recognition as the most downloaded app worldwide.
The introduction of a social network could potentially escalate the ongoing rivalry between Altman and Elon Musk. This tension was highlighted in February when Musk made an unsolicited $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI, to which Altman humorously suggested they could purchase Twitter instead for $9.74 billion.
Diving into social media may also position OpenAI in direct competition with Meta, which is reportedly planning to integrate a social feed into its forthcoming standalone app for its AI assistant. Following reports of Meta’s efforts to create an alternative to ChatGPT, Altman remarked on X, indicating the possibility of pursuing a social app to counter Meta’s initiatives.
A dedicated social application could provide OpenAI with real-time data that rivals like X and Meta already utilize for their AI models. Musk’s Grok, for instance, extracts content from X, and Meta leverages its extensive user data to enhance its Llama AI.
Reports suggest that a core idea behind OpenAI’s social prototype is to leverage AI to assist users in sharing higher-quality content. One source from another major AI lab noted that Grok’s integration with X has made competitors envious, particularly regarding how users create viral tweets with the help of AI.
Although OpenAI is currently engaged in numerous projects, the future of its social media endeavor remains uncertain. However, the mere existence of this initiative within OpenAI reflects the company’s aspirations for growth amidst rising expectations for its future developments.
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