The CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has faced ridicule for a prolonged online critique directed at a competing chatbot firm regarding its planned Super Bowl advertisements.
Anthropic’s advertisements, featuring
, aim to criticize the integration of commercials into ChatGPT, a development it characterized as a “betrayal.”
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, responded with a 420-word post on X, accusing Anthropic of being “dishonest” and “deceptive,” and even employing “doublespeak.”
However, social media users redirected the criticism towards Altman, with some describing his post as “the digital equivalent of a toddler throwing a tantrum.”
One commenter noted, “Looks like a nerve was well and truly hit,” while another labeled his post “hypocritical.”
A notable comment suggested, “The reason Anthropic’s satirical ads went viral is precisely because public trust in you and OpenAI has already hit rock bottom over the past few months.”
Altman also expressed disapproval of Anthropic’s choice to air the videos during the Super Bowl on February 8.
He wrote, “It appears consistent with Anthropic’s doublespeak to employ a deceptive ad to criticize theoretical deceptive ads that are not real, but a Super Bowl ad is not where this would be anticipated.”
Altman defended the integration of advertisements by stating OpenAI’s commitment to “free access” and “agency” for ChatGPT users.
He claimed, “Anthropic serves an expensive product to rich people,” asserting that his company aimed to “bring AI to billions of people who can’t pay for subscriptions.”
Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, offered Altman straightforward advice for future situations.
He advised, “Never respond to playful humour with an essay.”
Super Bowl Disagreement
While Anthropic provides a free version of Claude, advanced functionalities require payment, similar to ChatGPT’s model.
Anthropic was contacted for comment.
Anthropic’s advertisements illustrate various scenarios designed to satirize the potential negative effects of integrating ads into chatbot user experiences.
One ad shows a man discussing communication strategies with his mother during a therapy session, a type of query a user might pose to a chatbot like ChatGPT.
The therapist initially offers practical advice, but then abruptly shifts to promoting what seems to be a dating service for older women.
The advertisement concludes with the slogan: “Ads are coming to AI. But not to Claude.”
Despite the humorous approach, Anthropic’s decision to broadcast these ads during the Super Bowl—the most costly and prominent marketing event in the U.S.—suggests that its competition with OpenAI is taken seriously.
Industry experts estimate that a 30-second commercial during this globally watched sporting event can cost up to $10 million (£7.4 million).
This figure, however, is minor compared to the hundreds of billions AI companies are investing in the technology.
