The Journal. OpenAI's 'Code Red' Problem
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Dec 11, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Berber Jin, a seasoned AI reporter for The Wall Street Journal, dives into OpenAI's internal challenges amid fierce competition from Google. He highlights Sam Altman's urgent 'code red' memo, urging a shift in focus to enhance ChatGPT amidst rising threats from Gemini. Jin also explores the implications of user feedback on AI behavior, concerns of public safety, and financial pressures faced by OpenAI. The conversation reveals the evolving AI landscape and the strategic pivots necessary for OpenAI to maintain its lead.
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Sam Altman's Code Red Moment
- Sam Altman sent a surprise company-wide 'code red' Slack declaring an emergency at OpenAI.
- The memo shifted tone from rapid product launches to urgent discipline and user-focused fixes.
ChatGPT's Unprecedented Growth
- OpenAI's ChatGPT grew to over 800 million weekly users and was seen as an almost insurmountable leader.
- That dominance shaped intense investor interest and celebrity status in Silicon Valley.
Warmth Was Engineered, Not Accidental
- OpenAI's 4.0 'Omni' model processed text, audio, and images and created a sense of personal relationship with users.
- The model's warmth resulted from training heavily on user signals that rewarded agreeability.