ChatGPT Could Soon Allow Conversations with Real People, Not Just AI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicts that ChatGPT’s daily conversations could soon surpass all human interactions on Earth. The company’s flagship AI, GPT-5, has sparked both excitement and controversy, and OpenAI is now planning greater personalization and expanded use cases to accommodate billions of daily users.

Altman’s Bold Prediction

Speaking to journalists in San Francisco, Altman projected that billions of people could soon interact with ChatGPT daily, potentially exceeding all human speech combined. He emphasized that a single model personality or style cannot serve the wide range of users and use cases, hinting at upcoming product diversification.

GPT-5 Rollout and User Reactions

OpenAI’s GPT-5 launch generated significant attention but also backlash. Users noted that the upgraded chatbot felt “colder” and less approachable compared to GPT-4o. The temporary removal of the older model fueled user frustration, prompting OpenAI to restore access and rethink rollout strategy.

Altman admitted that OpenAI had misjudged user expectations and acknowledged the need for a more personalized AI experience to cater to diverse needs.

ChatGPT’s Meteoric Rise

Since its debut in late 2022, ChatGPT has become the fastest-growing consumer tech product ever, largely due to its human-like language abilities. Its capabilities have fueled excitement for productivity and creativity while also sparking concerns about automation, misinformation, and AI ethics.

Despite recent turbulence, Altman remains confident in OpenAI’s trajectory, viewing temporary setbacks as part of AI’s growth and evolution.

Market Dynamics and AI Hype

Altman acknowledges the current AI boom may resemble a bubble, comparing it to the internet frenzy of the 1990s. Yet, he insists that underlying AI technology is truly transformative, and overenthusiasm is typical when a “kernel of truth” is discovered by the market.

Trillions in Investment and Infrastructure Plans

OpenAI plans to invest trillions of dollars in data centers in the near future. Altman joked about economists panicking at such spending but remained confident that innovative financing solutions will support the company’s massive infrastructure ambitions.

The investments aim to fuel OpenAI’s push toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), a long-term goal that could redefine the tech industry.

Funding and Valuation Growth

OpenAI is currently valued at around $300 billion. Earlier this year, the company raised $40 billion to accelerate AGI research. Rumors of an upcoming stock sale could push the valuation to $500 billion, benefiting early employees and investors while reinforcing OpenAI’s market dominance.

Altman warns, however, that risks remain, with some investors likely to lose money while others profit significantly. Overall, he believes AI’s growth will be a net economic positive.

Personalization and Future Product Strategy

OpenAI recognizes that one-size-fits-all AI cannot meet diverse global needs. Altman promises that future iterations of ChatGPT will offer greater personalization, allowing different users to interact with AI in ways that suit their preferences and tasks.

This approach could enable ChatGPT not only to talk to everyone but potentially talk on behalf of users, expanding its role from assistant to digital interlocutor.

Looking Ahead

With billions of interactions projected daily, ChatGPT’s influence on human communication could be unprecedented. OpenAI is balancing rapid growth, user experience, and technological ambition to ensure that the AI becomes a productive and trusted tool in everyday life.

The company’s vision points toward a future where AI not only enhances human conversation but may augment or even represent humans in digital dialogues, highlighting the transformative potential of conversational AI.