Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson (Preview) OpenAI Declares a ‘Code Red,’ Alan Dye Leaves Apple for Meta, Questions on Tranium 3, Substack, and F1
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Dec 5, 2025 OpenAI's declaration of a 'Code Red' sparks a debate on ChatGPT's vulnerability to competitors like Gemini 3 and Google. The missed opportunity in advertising looms large, as it could have bolstered user retention. Alan Dye's move from Apple to Meta signals shifts in design focus and corporate strategy. Discussions on Amazon's Tranium chips highlight the race in AI technology. The challenges faced by Substack in acquiring customers and varying F1 predictions before Abu Dhabi's finale add a light-hearted touch to the tech discourse.
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Personal Angst Over OpenAI's Trajectory
- Ben Thompson describes being
Missed Window For Ads Weakens Flywheel
- OpenAI missed a key strategic window to institutionalize ads and secure a long-term consumer flywheel.
- Ben Thompson worries that failure to lock advertisers now makes ChatGPT vulnerable to competitors like Google.
Ads As A Flywheel, Not Just Revenue
- Advertising creates a self-reinforcing flywheel by funding improvements and habituating users to an ad-supported experience.
- Ben argues ads align incentives and scale access more broadly than subscription-only models.