OpenAI reportedly considering launching a social network

OpenAI is reportedly in the early stages of developing a social networking platform.

According to sources, this artificial intelligence company has already created an internal prototype of the platform. However, insiders indicate that OpenAI might still decide against entering the social media arena.

The prototype reportedly features an interface centered around a "ChatGPT image generation" tool. Last month, OpenAI released a major update to this tool, enhancing its output quality and ability to follow instructions. This upgrade sparked a viral trend of users creating images in the style of famous Japanese animation studios.

OpenAI's potential social network appears aimed at capitalizing on the popularity of ChatGPT's free version among consumers.

Prior to the image generation tool's update, the chatbot service had reached 400 million weekly active users by mid-February. Since then, this number has likely increased significantly. Shortly after the update's release, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that over 1 million new users registered for ChatGPT within a single hour.

If OpenAI successfully integrates its social network with ChatGPT's user base, it could open new revenue streams through targeted advertising. According to The Verge, the current prototype includes a social feed feature. Theoretically, such a feed could provide more advertising space compared to ChatGPT's existing interface.

News of OpenAI's social media ambitions emerged during Meta Platforms Inc.'s high-profile antitrust trial. If Meta is found to have violated competition rules, it may be required to sell Instagram. Such a ruling could make it easier for OpenAI to compete in the social media market against Meta.

Given that OpenAI's social network might focus on ChatGPT's image generation capabilities, it could position itself as an alternative to Instagram. However, it remains unclear how the social network would integrate with ChatGPT.

One possibility is that OpenAI might adopt an approach similar to Elon Musk's X. The platform formerly known as Twitter allows users to access Grok, a chatbot developed by Musk's AI startup xAI Corp., without leaving the interface. Last month, xAI and X merged, valuing the combined entity at $80 billion.

CEO Altman has reportedly been "inviting external testers" to help evaluate the company's social network prototype. Should OpenAI decide to proceed with its social media plans, it remains uncertain when the platform might become widely available.

The company previously entered the search market through a tool called SearchGPT. OpenAI briefly offered this search engine as a standalone service last year before integrating it into ChatGPT. Today's reports do not specify whether the company plans to release its social network as a separate application or as part of ChatGPT.