OpenAI CEO Surprises with Most Used Mobile App: Slack Beats ChatGPT
OpenAI’s ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, has taken the world by storm since its launch in November 2022, garnering over 110 million downloads globally. However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reveals in an interview with Bill Gates that it is not the app he reaches for the most on his phone. Surprisingly, that honor goes to Slack.
Altman’s preference for Slack over ChatGPT and even email caught Gates off guard. Altman explains that he uses Slack extensively to coordinate work with his colleagues at OpenAI, which currently has around 500 employees. Gates, on the other hand, admits that his most used app is Microsoft Outlook, known for its email functionality. He jokingly calls himself an old-style email guy.
The conversation between Altman and Gates also touches upon the size of OpenAI as an organization compared to tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Gates expresses surprise at the relatively small team despite the significant impact OpenAI’s products have had on the industry. Altman acknowledges this and highlights that OpenAI is an older company than average, with employees mainly in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. He emphasizes that it’s not a company filled with young programmers like early Microsoft and Apple.
Reflecting on his experience at Y Combinator, Altman notes that the best founders tend to be older. This observation contradicts the notion that successful startups are primarily led by young entrepreneurs. Altman acknowledges that OpenAI deviated from standard YC advice in many ways. The company was founded without a specific product idea and took almost five years to launch its first product – a departure from the typical startup approach.
Altman’s understanding of the rules and when to break them, fostered by his time at Y Combinator, played a significant role in OpenAI’s unconventional journey. While he doesn’t recommend this approach for most companies, Altman believes it was crucial to OpenAI’s success.
OpenAI’s venture from a nonprofit research lab to a for-profit business has been transformative. The company reported annualized revenue exceeding $1.6 billion in 2023, according to The Information. Altman recognizes the challenges of operating a research lab while managing a flourishing business.
With the popularity of ChatGPT, every major tech company has delved into developing rival AI chatbots and generative AI applications. OpenAI’s impact on the industry remains undeniable, despite its comparatively smaller size.
As OpenAI continues to evolve and push the boundaries of AI technology, Altman’s reliance on Slack for efficient communication highlights the importance of effective collaboration within the organization. While ChatGPT may dominate the global app downloads, Slack keeps Altman connected with his team, ensuring seamless coordination and productivity.
In a world where AI is rapidly advancing, OpenAI’s contributions showcase the potential of this technology. Despite their unconventional journey and unique company demographics, OpenAI remains at the forefront of AI research and innovation.
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