OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expresses his dislike for the name of the company’s AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT, according to his recent appearance on Trevor Noah’s podcast. Altman admits that the name is horrible, but suggests that it may be too widely known to change. Despite his dissatisfaction, Altman acknowledges that the name has become well-established.
ChatGPT has gained significant popularity since its launch in November 2022, amassing 100 million monthly active users by January of this year. The chatbot, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, has reportedly received 1.7 billion visits globally in October. The latest version, GPT-4, offers enhanced features such as the ability to see, hear, and speak, allowing ChatGPT Plus subscribers to engage in voice conversations and share images with the chatbot.
Altman’s discontent with the chatbot’s name follows a tumultuous period for him, including a temporary firing last month that prompted OpenAI employees to threaten resignation. Altman’s reinstatement brought Microsoft Corporation into the picture, securing a non-voting observer role on the OpenAI board.
After his return, Altman expressed satisfaction with the company’s performance in his absence, stating that it demonstrated the capabilities of the leadership team he had appointed or mentored. Meanwhile, OpenAI co-founder Elon Musk, who left the company in 2018, has launched his own AI venture called xAI. Musk aims to position his company as a superior alternative to ChatGPT, with the aspiration of making it a verb, similar to Googling for internet searches.
As the CEO of OpenAI, Altman’s dissatisfaction with ChatGPT’s name reveals the challenges that emerge when naming a successful and widely-used AI chatbot. Despite his aversion to the name, Altman acknowledges the difficulty of changing it at this stage. With its significant user base and enhanced features, ChatGPT continues to serve as a leading AI chatbot, even if its name leaves something to be desired.
