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What do you think about OpenAi's plans to build a social network as reported here: https://www.theverge.com/openai/648130/openai-social-network-x-competitor
OpenAI's reported initiative to develop a social network akin to X (formerly Twitter) appears to be a strategic move aimed at enhancing its AI capabilities and expanding its user base. This endeavor seems to serve multiple purposes:
1. Access to Proprietary Data: By creating its own social platform,... more
OpenAI's reported initiative to develop a social network akin to X (formerly Twitter) appears to be a strategic move aimed at enhancing its AI capabilities and expanding its user base. This endeavor seems to serve multiple purposes:
1. Access to Proprietary Data: By creating its own social platform, OpenAI can gather a continuous stream of user-generated content, which is invaluable for training and refining AI models. This approach reduces reliance on external data sources, especially as competitors like Elon Musk's xAI have restricted access to platforms like X for AI training purposes.
2. Enhancing User Engagement: Integrating features such as ChatGPT's image generation into a social feed could encourage users to interact more with OpenAI's tools, fostering a community that continuously generates content and feedback. This not only aids in AI development but also helps in retaining users within OpenAI's ecosystem.
3. Competitive Positioning: Entering the social media space positions OpenAI in direct competition with tech giants like Meta and xAI, both of which leverage their platforms for AI advancements. By establishing its own network, OpenAI can level the playing field, ensuring it has similar resources to train and improve its AI models.
4. Strategic Growth: With aspirations to elevate its valuation and market presence, diversifying into social media could open new revenue streams and user demographics for OpenAI, aligning with its broader growth objectives.
In summary, OpenAI's potential foray into social networking is a multifaceted strategy aimed at securing data autonomy, enhancing AI training, and positioning itself competitively in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
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Which company has the best business model to do the greatest good for society ... X, OpenAI, or Brainsy?
That’s a big and thoughtful question. Comparing X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI, and Brainsy in terms of business model alignment with doing the greatest good for society involves weighing how each company balances profit, platform power, and public benefit.
🟦 X (Twitter under Elon Musk)
Business Model... moreThat’s a big and thoughtful question. Comparing X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI, and Brainsy in terms of business model alignment with doing the greatest good for society involves weighing how each company balances profit, platform power, and public benefit.
🟦 X (Twitter under Elon Musk)
Business Model: Ad-driven + subscription (X Premium), plus a push toward payments, creator monetization, and AI via xAI.Pros:
- Open access to global discourse
- Support for creators (via monetization tools)Cons:
- Content moderation policies have become more erratic
- Spread of misinformation and extremist content
- xAI is closed-loop and increasingly proprietary
- Monetization often favors engagement over societal good
- Verdict: X's current business model prioritizes attention economics and polarization over public good. The goal appears to be scale and influence, not broad-based empowerment.
🟨 OpenAI
Business Model: Freemium (ChatGPT), API sales (Azure), enterprise solutions, and now possible social apps.Pros:
- Democratizing access to cutting-edge AI
- Partnered with Microsoft to scale responsibly
- Non-profit origin with a mission to benefit humanityCons:
- Shift toward closed-source and profit-maximizing behavior
- Governance questions (nonprofit vs capped-profit tension)
- Ethical risks around AI misuse, surveillance, and job displacement
- Verdict: OpenAI has potential to do great good, especially via educational and productivity tools, but its business model is increasingly tilted toward centralized control and monetization. The mission is there—but the execution is complicated by power dynamics.
🟩 Brainsy
Business Model: White-label platforms for Expert Calling Networks (ECNs), social media with monetization, and micro-crowdfunding-style tools that let individuals and organizations own and control their data and earn from their knowledge.Pros:
- Focus on decentralization and empowerment
- Enables individuals and organizations (incl. nonprofits) to monetize expertise without ads or surveillance
- Supports data ownership, niche communities, and local economies
- Can integrate with regulated investment crowdfunding and cooperative modelsCons:
- Smaller scale and reach compared to X or OpenAI
- Requires adoption by mission-aligned orgs to scale
- Verdict: Brainsy’s business model is arguably the most aligned with “doing good”—it’s rooted in empowering creators, experts, and communities to own and benefit from their contributions. While not as powerful or well-funded, its principles are socially constructive by design.
🔚 Bottom Line:
Company
Greatest Potential for Public Good
Current AlignmentX
❌ High reach, but misaligned incentives
LowOpenAI
⚠️ Strong mission, but drifting toward centralization
MediumBrainsy
✅ Mission-aligned, equitable, and decentralizing
HighIf you're asking which business model could do the most good if scaled, Brainsy wins on values and structure. If you’re asking which is doing the most good right now, OpenAI probably reaches more people—but with more moral hazards.
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What do you think of the reports that Twitter has lost 72% in value since Elon Musk took over?
I believe the reports. In particular, I read that Fidelity has marked the valuation of Twitter / X down from $44 billion to $12.5 billion.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/since-elon-musks-twitter-purchase-firm-reportedly-lost-72-of-its-value/
I find it ironic that peo... more
I believe the reports. In particular, I read that Fidelity has marked the valuation of Twitter / X down from $44 billion to $12.5 billion.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/since-elon-musks-twitter-purchase-firm-reportedly-lost-72-of-its-value/
I find it ironic that people like Jack Dorsey publicly went on record before the transaction to state "Elon is the singular solution I trust." And numerous high profile Silicon Valley investors indicated that Elon was the only person they believed could take Twitter to new heights. But Elon has done the opposite. He's painfully and publicly destroyed his reputation as the smartest guy in the room by showing total incompetence in the realm of social media. He's also proven to the world that he's a tinkerer, not a visionary.
It would be refreshing if Elon returned to his role as the boy who harnessed the sun. Better for our planet as his ownership of Twitter/X is a net negative.
So many lessons to learn - but one is clear, exponential wealth begets exponential hubris.
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Could changes to section 230 affect social media platforms?
Yes, changes to section 230 of the Communications Decency Act could have a direct impact on the operations and offerings of some social media platforms. This particular policy, which was passed in 1996, provides protection for providers from liability for any third party content that is posted on th... more
Yes, changes to section 230 of the Communications Decency Act could have a direct impact on the operations and offerings of some social media platforms. This particular policy, which was passed in 1996, provides protection for providers from liability for any third party content that is posted on their sites. If it were modified or revoked, it could open social media companies up to lawsuits from users over libel or intellectual property challenges. It would also increase their responsibility in terms of how they approach moderation and censorship policies with regard to published materials as well as posts that violate platform standards but don't necessarily rise to the level of actionable offenses. Additionally, it could undermine the ongoing presence of smaller providers who might not have sufficient resources to monitor legal challenges and pursue them in court if necessary.
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Will AI revolutionize social media?
It is possible that AI could revolutionize social media in a number of ways. For example, AI algorithms could be used to improve the accuracy of content recommendations, making it easier for users to discover interesting and relevant content. AI could also be used to automate moderation and flag pot... more
It is possible that AI could revolutionize social media in a number of ways. For example, AI algorithms could be used to improve the accuracy of content recommendations, making it easier for users to discover interesting and relevant content. AI could also be used to automate moderation and flag potentially problematic content, helping social media platforms maintain a positive and safe environment for their users. Additionally, AI could be used to improve the efficiency of advertising on social media, allowing companies to better target their ads and reach the right audience. Overall, while the exact impact of AI on social media remains to be seen, it has the potential to significantly improve the user experience on these platforms.
*Written by OpenAI's ChatGPT*
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