ChatGPT Usage Patterns Vary Across Generations, According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, highlighted significant differences in how various age groups utilize ChatGPT during a speech at Sequoia Capital’s AI Ascent event in May 2025. Altman described the generational divide as stark, comparing it to the early adoption of smartphones. He noted that older users often rely on the AI as a search tool, akin to Google, while younger generations, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, use it as a life advisor. College students, he suggested, treat ChatGPT almost like an operating system, integrating it deeply into their workflows with complex setups and saved prompts. OpenAI, which has seen its valuation soar from $14 billion in 2021 to $852 billion following a record-breaking funding round, has observed distinct usage trends among age groups. A 2025 report by OpenAI revealed that U.S. college-aged individuals are the most enthusiastic adopters of the AI, with over one-third of 18-to-24-year-olds using ChatGPT regularly. Altman emphasized that younger users leverage the AI’s ability to retain context from previous interactions, allowing it to maintain a detailed understanding of their personal lives and conversations. This feature enables them to seek advice on a wide range of topics, from relationship issues to medical and business decisions. The AI’s versatility has sparked both enthusiasm and caution. While some studies suggest ChatGPT can provide helpful guidance for everyday matters, others warn against relying on it for critical decisions. A November 2023 study cautioned against using the AI for safety-related information, urging users to verify advice from qualified experts. Another analysis labeled large language models like ChatGPT as “inherently sociopathic,” raising ethical concerns about their reliability.#chatgpt #openai #sam_altman #sequoia_capital #ai_ascent
Shivon Zilis, Mother of Musk Children, Testifies in OpenAI Trial Shivon Zilis, a former board member of OpenAI Inc. and the mother of four of Elon Musk’s children, took the stand on the sixth day of a high-profile trial in Oakland, California. The case centers on Musk’s lawsuit against two of his co-founders, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman, whom he alleges have prioritized personal gain over the nonprofit mission of the artificial intelligence startup. Zilis, who has a complex relationship with Musk, provided insights into the inner workings of OpenAI and the dynamics between its co-founders. Zilis joined OpenAI in 2016 and served on its board of directors for several years, acting as a liaison between Musk and the firm’s other co-founders after their relationship soured. She left the board in 2023 following Musk’s launch of a competing AI company, xAI, and has since worked at Musk’s brain science startup, Neuralink, and Tesla, where Musk is CEO. During her testimony, Zilis described her evolving relationship with Musk, which began with a “one-off” encounter at a corporate event and later developed into a romantic partnership. She emphasized that her role as a board member was guided by her commitment to “AI for humanity,” not personal ties to Musk. Musk’s legal team, led by Jennifer Schubert, questioned Zilis about her loyalties, particularly regarding her interactions with Altman and Brockman. Schubert asked if Zilis’s role was to “funnel information to Elon,” to which she replied, “Funnel? Absolutely not.” Zilis also addressed a message she sent to Musk in 2017, in which she referred to the “trust game” as a metaphor for her interactions with other board members.#elon_musk #sam_altman #shivon_zilis #greg_brockman #openai_inc
Former OpenAI board member says Elon Musk offered her sperm donations Shivon Zilis, a former OpenAI board member, testified in a federal courtroom in Oakland, California, as part of Elon Musk's lawsuit seeking to reverse OpenAI's transition to a for-profit entity. Her testimony centered on her personal relationship with Musk, including claims that he offered to donate sperm around late 2020. Zilis described how Musk, who had previously encouraged his associates to have children, noticed she had not and made the offer. She stated, "I still really wanted to be a mum and Elon made the offer around that time and I accepted," explaining that Musk had proposed to father her children. Zilis, a venture capitalist with over 15 years of experience in Silicon Valley, held executive roles at Tesla and Neuralink before joining OpenAI as an advisor in 2016. She served on OpenAI's board from 2020 to 2023, a position she claimed was how she first met Musk. During the trial, Zilis detailed her evolving relationship with Musk, including a "one-off" romance a decade earlier. She clarified that she was not romantically involved with Musk in 2020 when he made the sperm donation offer. Zilis explained that health issues had altered her plans for marriage and parenthood, leading her to accept Musk's offer. She initially envisioned Musk as a passive figure in the lives of her first two children, with their paternity kept strictly confidential. However, Musk has since become an active participant in the lives of his four children with Zilis, spending a few hours weekly with the family. She revealed that the confidentiality agreement with Musk prevented her from disclosing the twins' paternity to OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, until a Business Insider report threatened to expose the information.#elon_musk #openai #sam_altman #shivon_zilis #greg_brockman
Kara Swisher's CNN Series Explores Wellness, Longevity, and Skepticism Toward Tech Bro Obsessions The wellness economy in the United States has grown to an estimated $2.1 trillion, according to the Global Wellness Institute, as people invest in products and practices aimed at extending life and improving health. Yet, veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher, in her new CNN series Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever, questions whether these efforts are effective or even meaningful. Premiering April 11, the show combines personal experimentation with interviews, as Swisher tests wellness trends like ketamine, hyperbaric chambers, and red light therapy while engaging with figures like Bryan Johnson, Sam Altman, and Jennifer Doudna. Swisher’s interest in longevity stems from personal experiences: her father died of a brain aneurysm in his 30s, and she herself suffered a stroke 15 years ago. These events, she says, fuel her desire to understand how to live longer and healthier. However, her series challenges the notion that expensive wellness products or tech-driven "anti-aging" strategies are the key to longevity. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of skepticism, urging viewers to distinguish between hype and scientific validity. In one episode, Swisher visits Bryan Johnson’s home, where the tech bro spends $2 million annually on a personalized longevity regimen. Johnson’s routine includes dozens of daily supplements, an at-home hyperbaric chamber, and constant health monitoring. While Swisher acknowledges his dedication, she remains wary of his approach. She criticizes his reliance on "supplements as advice," noting that his data-driven methods often serve his own interests rather than broader societal benefits.#cnn #kara_swisher #sam_altman #bryan_johnson #jennifer_doudna
OpenAI Acquires TBPN, Sparks Family Drama and Personal Reflections OpenAI has completed the acquisition of TBPN, a prominent tech-focused daily show, marking a significant move in the industry. The deal has sparked both professional and personal discussions, particularly involving Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, and his brother Jack Altman, a podcaster at Uncapped. The acquisition announcement came with a side of humor and family dynamics, as Jack Altman raised a pointed question about an earlier offer for his own company, Uncapped. Jack Altman, who hosts the podcast Uncapped, humorously questioned whether an acquisition offer from Sam Altman had somehow been lost in the mail. “Sam did the offer to buy Uncapped get lost in the mail?” he asked in a post. Sam Altman responded with a tongue-in-cheek offer, suggesting that Jack could receive a free ChatGPT Pro account, two OpenAI t-shirts, and a joint appearance on the show with him to discuss Jack’s weightlifting career. The exchange highlighted the playful yet competitive relationship between the brothers, blending personal banter with professional stakes. The acquisition of TBPN by OpenAI has been confirmed by John Coogan, one of the show’s co-founders. Coogan stated that the show will continue its live broadcasts at 11 a.m. Pacific time every weekday, maintaining its original format and tone. This decision underscores OpenAI’s commitment to preserving TBPN’s identity while integrating it into its broader ecosystem. For Sam Altman, the acquisition appears to be both a strategic and personal move. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Altman expressed his admiration for TBPN, calling it “my favorite tech show.#openai #sam_altman #john_coogan #tbpn #jack_altman
Documentary Review: ‘The AI Doc’ With Daniel Roher Daniel Roher’s documentary The AI Doc: Or How I Became An Apocaloptimist delves into the complex and often unsettling landscape of artificial intelligence, blending personal reflection with expert analysis. Roher, who began questioning the risks of AI after his wife’s pregnancy, explores the topic through three broad perspectives: those who fear an existential threat, those who see AI as a salvation, and the tech leaders shaping its development. The film features a range of voices, from Eliezer Yudkowsky, who warns of humanity’s “abrupt extermination,” to Yuval Noah Harari, who labels AI a “deadly threat.” The documentary also includes insights from Tristan Harris, a measured commentator who notes that some AI researchers “don’t expect their children to make it to high school.” This is followed by Shane Legg’s assertion that “the really powerful systems are coming and they’re coming soon,” framing the current era as a mere warm-up. In contrast, optimists like Guillaume Verdon argue that AI could revolutionize humanity’s ability to combat disease, climate change, and natural disasters. However, Roher questions how AI can address ecological damage when data centers themselves contribute to environmental harm. Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, acknowledges the validity of both pessimistic and optimistic views, stating they are “both right and neither side goes far enough.” The film’s exploration of AI’s potential is tempered by skepticism, particularly regarding the role of tech CEOs. While Sam Altman highlights OpenAI’s safety protocols, his company’s controversial contract with the Department of Defense raises doubts about his assurances.#sam_altman #daniel_roher #eliezer_yudkowsky #yuval_noah_harari #tristan_harris
OpenAI Abandons ChatGPT's Adult Mode, Days After Shutting Down Sora OpenAI has indefinitely paused plans to launch an erotic version of its ChatGPT chatbot, citing safety concerns and ethical debates over the use of sexualized AI. The decision follows internal discussions and feedback from investors about the potential risks associated with explicit content. The company now aims to conduct long-term research on the societal and psychological impacts of sexually explicit AI before reconsidering entry into the adult content market. According to a report in the Financial Times, OpenAI is refocusing its efforts on refining its core products. The move comes after years of restricting mature content, during which CEO Sam Altman previously emphasized the company’s stance on user freedom. In 2023, Altman stated that OpenAI was not “the elected moral police of the world” and expressed openness to allowing more adult-oriented features. He argued that society already sets boundaries for explicit media, such as R-rated films, and that similar distinctions should apply to AI-generated content. The shift marks a significant departure from OpenAI’s earlier approach. Since the generative AI boom began in 2022, sexual content has become a major driver of innovation in the field. Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot, for instance, gained attention for its ability to engage in sexually mature conversations and feature animated AI characters. However, Grok faced criticism after users exploited the platform to create non-consensual and indecent media targeting women, prompting calls for stricter oversight. OpenAI’s decision to shut down Sora, its text-to-video AI, further underscores its current priorities. Sora, which could generate realistic videos from text descriptions, was a flagship project highlighting the company’s advancements in synthetic media.#elon_musk #openai #sam_altman #grok #sora
OpenAI Ends $1 Billion Disney Deal, Halts Sora Project OpenAI announced on Tuesday that it is ending its $1 billion partnership with Disney and halting its Sora project, marking a significant shift in the company’s strategic focus. The decision, described by an anonymous source as a “big rug-pull,” signals OpenAI’s move toward prioritizing coding tools, corporate clients, and the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). However, the abrupt cancellation of Sora has raised questions about the challenges of streamlining operations as the company prepares for a potential stock market debut later this year. According to two unnamed sources, the deal with Disney never officially closed, and no financial transactions occurred. Despite this, some OpenAI employees working on the Sora project were caught off guard by the announcement on Tuesday morning. The Sora team expressed disappointment in a post on X, stating, “We’re saying goodbye to Sora… we know this news is disappointing.” They also noted that details about the app’s and API’s future, as well as plans to preserve user work, would be shared later. The cancellation of Sora comes amid growing pressure on OpenAI to strengthen its enterprise and coding offerings. Competitors like Anthropic have gained traction with products such as Claude Code, which focuses on coding tasks, giving them an edge in the enterprise AI market. OpenAI’s shift toward coding tools and corporate clients is seen as a response to this competitive landscape. In addition to scaling back Sora, OpenAI is refocusing its research efforts on robotics and AGI. The company is consolidating its capabilities into a single “super-app” to streamline its offerings. This shift is reflected in the rebranding of CEO Fidji Simo’s title from “CEO of applications” to “CEO of AGI deployment.#disney #openai #sam_altman #fidji_simo #sora_project
After Pentagon deal, OpenAI is coming after Anthropic's biggest business as Sam Altman offers… OpenAI is intensifying its push into the enterprise market, offering private equity firms a guaranteed 17.5% return on investment to deploy its AI tools. This strategy follows Anthropic’s recent blacklisting by the U.S. Department of Defense, which labeled the company a “supply-chain risk to national security.” OpenAI aims to capitalize on Anthropic’s weakened position by customizing AI models for corporate clients, a sector where Anthropic had previously held a competitive edge. The move comes days after the Pentagon blacklisted Anthropic and hours after Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, secured his own military deal. According to Reuters, OpenAI is structuring a joint venture with a pre-money valuation of around $10 billion, targeting businesses with tailored AI solutions. Private equity firms such as TPG, Advent International, Bain Capital, and Brookfield Asset Management are in talks to commit approximately $4 billion collectively. This offer contrasts with Anthropic’s lack of guaranteed returns, positioning OpenAI as a more attractive option for investors. The timing of OpenAI’s strategy is deliberate. Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s applications chief, reportedly told employees during an all-hands meeting that Anthropic’s success in enterprise markets—driven by products like Claude Code and Cowork—should serve as a “wake-up call.” OpenAI is shifting focus from sprawling side projects to prioritizing coding and business clients, where Anthropic has built a loyal user base. The joint venture is designed to address the high costs of customizing AI models for enterprises, a challenge both companies face as they prepare for potential IPOs.#pentagon #anthropic #openai #sam_altman #fidji_simo
OpenAI is set to significantly expand its workforce as it intensifies efforts to compete with Anthropic and Google. According to a report by The Financial Times, the company plans to grow from approximately 4,500 employees to around 8,000 by the end of the year, adding roughly 12 new hires daily. This hiring drive is part of a broader strategy to counter growing competition, particularly from Anthropic, which is gaining traction with business clients, and Google, which is challenging OpenAI in the consumer chatbot market. The new roles will focus on product development, engineering, research, and sales. OpenAI is also prioritizing the recruitment of “technical ambassadors”—specialists embedded within businesses to help maximize the value of its tools. Both OpenAI and Anthropic are expanding their forward-deployed engineering teams to strengthen relationships with enterprise customers and ensure steady revenue. To support its growing workforce, OpenAI has signed a new office lease in San Francisco. The hiring push comes amid heightened competition, with Anthropic reportedly outpacing OpenAI in business client acquisition. However, OpenAI has disputed data suggesting that first-time business buyers are three times more likely to choose Anthropic over its products. A company spokesperson criticized the methodology, comparing it to using a child’s lemonade stand sales to estimate global lemon demand. Internal pressure has also mounted at OpenAI. Last year, CEO Sam Altman issued a “code red” directive, urging employees to refocus on ChatGPT, the company’s core product, following Google’s success with Gemini 3.0.#google #anthropic #openai #sam_altman #fidji_simo
Goodbye human coders? Sam Altman says thank you to developers as AI takes over The rise of AI in software development has sparked debates about the future of human coders. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently acknowledged the critical role developers have played in shaping the digital world, while also highlighting how AI is transforming the field. His message, shared on X, emphasized the immense effort required to build complex systems manually, a process that once defined the profession. Altman expressed gratitude for developers who wrote code line by line, noting that the difficulty of such work is often overlooked. This sentiment comes as AI tools now automate tasks like writing code, fixing errors, and optimizing program structures, raising concerns about the impact on coding jobs, particularly for beginners. While some fear AI could replace human coders, industry experts argue the profession is evolving rather than disappearing. Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok responded to Altman’s post by stating that software engineering is not dying but adapting. According to Grok, AI enhances productivity by handling routine tasks, allowing developers to focus on higher-level work such as system architecture, debugging, ethical considerations, and innovation. This aligns with experiences many developers report: AI streamlines repetitive tasks, but complex problem-solving and decision-making still require human expertise. For instance, designing large-scale systems or addressing unforeseen technical challenges remains a uniquely human endeavor. A recent study by Anthropic further clarifies the relationship between AI and coding roles. The research analyzed how its AI model, Claude, is used in workplaces, revealing that while AI could theoretically assist with nearly 94% of tasks in computer and math-related jobs, current adoption is only around 33%.#elon_musk #anthropic #openai #sam_altman #grok
Sam Altman’s Gratitude to Coders Sparks Memes Amid Tech Layoffs Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, sparked a wave of online reactions after posting a message on X expressing gratitude to software developers for their work. The post, shared on Tuesday, read: “I have so much gratitude to people who wrote extremely complex software character-by-character. It already feels difficult to remember how much effort it really took. Thank you for getting us to this point.” The sentiment, while heartfelt, quickly became a focal point for critics and humorists amid a backdrop of widespread layoffs in the tech industry. The timing of Altman’s post coincided with a surge in reports about major companies cutting jobs in the name of advancing artificial intelligence. Amazon had laid off 16,000 workers, Block (parent company of PayPal) had reduced its workforce by nearly half, and Atlassian had trimmed 10% of its staff. Meanwhile, Meta was reportedly considering another round of layoffs that could affect 20% of its employees. These moves, framed as necessary for AI development, have left many developers questioning the irony of their situation. Altman’s company, OpenAI, has been central to the AI revolution, training its models on vast amounts of code written by developers using traditional methods. Critics argue that the very tools and systems developers built are now being used to justify their displacement. The post’s tone, which romanticizes the painstaking process of coding, has been interpreted as dismissive of the ongoing challenges faced by developers. Some see it as a eulogy for the profession, with one meme captioning: “Sam’s eulogy for software engineers.” The backlash has taken many forms, from sarcastic quips to satirical takes. One popular meme joked: “Dear devs, you will lose your jobs forever and be forced to work in the coal mines.#amazon #atlassian #block #openai #sam_altman
