OpenAI could be launching a social media platform to compete with...
Reports suggest that OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is considering entering the social media landscape to rival platforms such as Elon Musk's X and Meta's Instagram.
The news was first brought to light by The Verge, with sources familiar with the matter indicating that OpenAI is in the early stages of developing this social media network. According to CNBC, OpenAI's initiative is based on its image-generation feature unveiled in March, which has sparked concerns over copyright infringement. Users quickly embraced the feature to create Studio Ghibli-style images, leading to a temporary crash of OpenAI's servers.
CEO's Response
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, joined in on the fun by changing his X profile picture to resemble a Ghibli character. He expressed his excitement over the positive reception of the image feature in ChatGPT, jokingly mentioning that their GPUs were 'melting'. In response to the server overload, Altman announced plans to temporarily restrict the feature's usage and optimize its energy consumption.
Potential Data Advantage
Unlike OpenAI, social media giants like Musk's xAI and Meta can leverage user and real-time data to enhance their AI models. If OpenAI proceeds with its social media venture, it could also tap into user data for model training purposes. The Verge reported that Altman has been seeking external feedback on the social network concept and that an internal prototype is already under development.
It remains unclear whether the potential platform will be a standalone app or integrated within the existing ChatGPT application. Additionally, Altman and Musk are embroiled in a legal dispute regarding OpenAI's transition to a for-profit entity. Musk was an early investor in OpenAI back when it functioned as a non-profit research lab in 2015.
