OpenAI is apparently making a social network

Engadget - Apr 15th, 2025

OpenAI is reportedly developing a social media network similar to X, as highlighted in a report by The Verge. The prototype incorporates a social feed into ChatGPT's image generation tool, although it's unclear if this will be a standalone app or integrated into the existing ChatGPT app. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been soliciting external feedback on this project, which could serve as a means to collect real-time user data for AI model training. This move could also represent a diversification strategy for OpenAI. The potential launch of such a network is expected to exacerbate existing tensions with Elon Musk, who owns the platform formerly known as Twitter, now X.

The strained relationship between OpenAI and Musk dates back to OpenAI's rejection of Musk's acquisition offer, countering instead with a proposal to buy Twitter for $9.7 billion—a fraction of what Musk paid. This ongoing rivalry has escalated with a countersuit from OpenAI, accusing Musk of orchestrating negative media campaigns and legal harassment. The discord is further fueled by historical interactions, including Musk's departure from OpenAI and his subsequent launch of xAI. These developments highlight a complex interplay of corporate strategy, competition, and personal discord within the tech industry, signaling potential shifts in the social media and AI landscapes.

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Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an intriguing look at OpenAI's potential entry into the social media space, framed within the context of its rivalry with Elon Musk. While the topic is timely and holds public interest, the story's accuracy is hindered by a lack of concrete evidence and diverse sources, leading to speculative reporting. The narrative is clear and engaging, but it could benefit from a more balanced perspective and greater transparency regarding the basis of its claims. Overall, the article succeeds in capturing attention and sparking discussion, but its impact is limited by the need for further verification and expert analysis.

Accuracy

The article makes several factual claims that require verification, such as OpenAI's development of a social network similar to X, and the existence of an internal prototype. It mentions that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is seeking external feedback, a claim that lacks direct evidence. Additionally, the article discusses OpenAI's legal issues with Elon Musk, which are partially supported by existing reports. However, the claim about OpenAI's rejection of Musk's buyout offer seems exaggerated and lacks corroborating details. The story's accuracy is hindered by the absence of concrete evidence or direct quotes from involved parties, which affects its verifiability.

Balance

The article presents a narrative that heavily focuses on the rivalry between OpenAI and Elon Musk, potentially overshadowing other perspectives. While it does touch on the potential strategic reasons for OpenAI's move, such as data collection for AI training, it lacks a broader industry context or opinions from independent experts. The story could benefit from including views from other stakeholders or analysts to provide a more balanced perspective on the implications of OpenAI's potential social network.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it accessible to readers. The narrative flows logically, with a focus on the potential development of OpenAI's social network and its implications. However, the inclusion of speculative and unverified claims may confuse readers regarding the factual basis of the story. Despite this, the overall tone remains neutral, without overt sensationalism.

Source quality

The article relies on a report by The Verge, but does not provide direct quotes or detailed attributions to specific individuals or documents. The lack of diverse sources or corroboration from other reputable outlets diminishes the reliability of the information presented. Additionally, the absence of input from OpenAI or independent experts further weakens the source quality, as it relies heavily on speculative reporting.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of how the information was gathered and the methodology behind the claims. It does not clearly disclose the basis for its assertions about OpenAI's intentions or the prototype's specifics. Moreover, potential conflicts of interest, such as the relationship between OpenAI and Musk, are mentioned but not explored in depth. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the credibility of the information.