OpenAI explores social network to compete with Musk’s X

OpenAI is reportedly developing a social media platform similar to Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, as part of its broader expansion into new markets.

According to sources cited by The Verge, the project is in its early stages and features a prototype centered on ChatGPT’s image-generation capabilities integrated with a social feed.

It remains unclear whether the platform will be launched as a standalone app or integrated into the existing ChatGPT framework.

The move positions OpenAI in direct competition with Musk’s X and Meta’s platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.

By creating a social network, OpenAI could gain access to real-time user-generated data, which is critical for training its AI models.

This mirrors strategies employed by both X and Meta, which use their platforms’ data to enhance AI capabilities.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly been seeking external feedback on the project, though the company has not publicly confirmed its plans.

Analysts suggest that this initiative could be a strategic response to Musk’s recent efforts to integrate AI services like Grok into X, leveraging data from the platform to train new models.

The rivalry between Musk and Altman has gotten more intense in recent years, especially after OpenAI changed its business model from nonprofit to for-profit, a change that Musk has publicly opposed.

In February 2025, Musk reportedly made a $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, which Altman rejected with a public retort suggesting OpenAI might instead purchase X for $9.74 billion.

If successful, OpenAI’s social network could significantly expand its reach and user base.

ChatGPT already boasts 400 million weekly active users as of February 2025, up from 50 million in early 2023.

However, entering the competitive social media space poses challenges, especially as platforms like Meta are also developing AI-integrated social feeds.