OpenAI is repeatedly working on its own X-like social media network, several media outlets reported on Tuesday, citing multiple sources familiar with the plans.
The project is still in its early stages, and the social network is based on the popularity of the startup’s newest image-generation feature, according to the reports.
“There’s an internal prototype focused on ChatGPT’s image generation that has a social feed,” the Verge reported. At the moment it is unclear whether OpenAI plans to release the social network as a separate application or integrate it into its chatbot, ChatGPT.
The company’s CEO Sam Altman has reportedly been “privately asking outsiders for feedback about the project,” as per the Verge report. Altman first hinted at the possibility of OpenAI building a social network in February on X in response to reports about Meta’s plans to release standalone Meta AI app to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, saying,”ok fine maybe we’ll do a social app”
The move to launch a social network would likely increase the tensions between Altman and billionaire Elon Musk who co-founded OpenAI with Sam Altman and other individuals in 2015 but left the startup in 2018.
Last year, Musk had sued OpenAI, alleging the company had abandoned its initial goal of developing AI for the benefit of humanity but last month a federal district court blocked his attempt to stop the company’s transition to a for-profit company.
In February, Musk with a consortium of investors made an unsolicited offer to purchase OpenAI for US$97.4 billion (approx. UGX358.27 trillion), to which Altman responded: “no thank you but we will buy twitter for US$9.74 billion if you want.”
Earlier this month OpenAI counter-sued Musk accusing him of a pattern of harassment and attempting to derail its shift to a for-profit model.
“Through press attacks, malicious campaigns broadcast to Musk’s more than 200 million followers on the social media platform he controls, a pretextual demand for corporate records, harassing legal claims, and a sham bid for OpenAI’s assets, Musk has tried every tool available to harm OpenAI,” wrote OpenAI in a filing. The two parties are set to begin a jury trial next year.
