ChatGPT maker OpenAI could launch a social network in an effort to rival X and Instagram, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
According to CNBC and The Verge‘s sources, the AI pioneer could be plotting an experience centred around its AI image generation feature that debuted in March this year.
The reporting from The Verge claims the company might wish to turn this feature into a social feed, which could live within ChatGPT, or as a separate app for the best smartphones and some rubbish ones too.
The reporting says there’s an internal prototype doing the rounds at the company with boss Sam Altman canvassing feedback. There aren’t many solid details within the pieces published on April 15, but this is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Opinion
It’s not clear why, precisely, OpenAI would want to create a social network and why anyone would want to use it.
It’s possible this is part of the perennial billionaire urination tournament between Altman and other social media barons like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
Both Meta and X have major AI chatbot initiatives and Musk just used his GrokAI company to purchase X outright in some sort of weird money move no-one really understands.
Musk is also threatening to launch a hostile takeover bid of Open AI. In February 2025 Musk made a bid of almost $100 billion, but the offer was rejected by the non-profit in control of the company.
