- New report says clients seek to ensure they aren’t reliant on OpenAI’s ChatGPT
- Walmart execs are stressing the need for interoperability with other tools
- It opens the door for Google and others to try to gain market share
OpenAI’s corporate customers, including Walmart, are seeking to lessen their reliance on the company’s tools following its recent leadership chaos, according to a new report.
After CEO Sam Altman was ousted in a board coup in November, only to be reinstalled days later under pressure from investors and staff, OpenAI has faced questions about its governance and stability.
Soon after the uproar, senior leaders at Walmart warned the tech team to stick with Walmart’s internally developed tools, which can swap in various AI software, rather than seeking bespoke solutions directly from OpenAI, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, confirmed last April that it was using OpenAI’s GPT-4 software to improve a variety of tools, including customer service chatbots and a ‘text to shop’ feature that adds items to a shopping cart via text.
The company told the Journal that its focus had always been on developing tools that are compatible with many AI programs.
OpenAI’s corporate customers, including Walmart, are seeking to lessen their reliance on the company’s tools following its recent leadership chaos, according to a new report
OpenAI ousted Altman on November 17 without any detailed cause, setting off alarm bells among investors and employees. He was reinstated four days later
Walmart and OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com on Friday afternoon.
According to the Journal, other companies also responded to the turmoil at OpenAI by working to ensure they had other options in place.
‘We’re still using ChatGPT,’ said Doug Merritt, the CEO of cloud networking company Aviatrix. ‘But I feel more comfortable that we haven’t proprietarily tied ourselves to it.’
The move to diversify could give more recent entrants a leg up as they seek to gain market share from OpenAI, which had a strong first move advantage after releasing ChatGPT publicly a little more than one year ago.
Last month, Google announced its Gemini AI software, touting it as a powerful and less expensive alternative to ChatGPT.
Other AI competitors include small startups Anthropic and Cohere as well as a free, open-source software made by Meta Platforms called Llama 2.
ChatGPT icon displayed on a phone screen is seen in this illustration photo
OpenAI ousted Altman on November 17 without any detailed cause, setting off alarm bells among investors and employees.
He was reinstated four days later with the promise of a new board.
Altman’s exit sparked confusion about the future of the startup at the center of an artificial intelligence boom.
His co-founder Greg Brockman, who had followed Altman out of the company, returned as president.
Following the failed board coup, OpenAI announced a new initial board that consists of former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor as chair and Larry Summers, former US Treasury Secretary.
Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, who was part of the board who fired Altman, also stayed on for the new one.
The new OpenAI board is on an active search for six new members with expertise in fields from technology to safety and policy.
By Daily Mail Online, January 5, 2024