Archive · 3 Dec 2025
OpenAI Declares Code Red for ChatGPT Improvements
OpenAI's boss, Sam Altman, told his team that they need to focus all their energy on making ChatGPT better.
This is called a 'code red.'
Because of this, other plans, like adding ads and working on AI agents, will be put on hold.
OpenAI is testing different kinds of ads, especially ones that help with online shopping.
Even though OpenAI hasn't said anything publicly about ads, they are working on it behind the scenes.
Google's new AI model, Gemini 3, is doing well and has more users, which is making OpenAI work harder to keep up.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declared a 'code red' to improve ChatGPT, delaying other initiatives.
Altman's internal memo called for a 'surge' to improve ChatGPT, delaying work on advertising and AI agents.
OpenAI is testing different types of ads, particularly for online shopping, but hasn't publicly acknowledged its ad plans.
Google's Gemini 3 is gaining praise and market share, challenging OpenAI's dominance.
ChatGPT has 800 million weekly users, while Gemini has 650 million monthly users.
- Who
- OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman
- What
- Declared a 'code red' to improve ChatGPT and delay other initiatives
- When
- The decision was announced on Monday
- Where
- At OpenAI
- Why
- To focus on improving ChatGPT and delay other initiatives due to competition from Google's Gemini 3
OpenAI
Market Competition
OpenAI
OpenAI is focusing on improving ChatGPT to maintain its lead in the AI market.
Google's Gemini 3 is gaining praise and market share, challenging OpenAI's dominance.
User Growth
OpenAI
ChatGPT has 800 million weekly users, higher than Gemini's 650 million monthly users.
Gemini is growing faster and is set to power Apple's Siri, potentially increasing its user base.
Technological Performance
OpenAI
OpenAI is working on improving ChatGPT's features and capabilities.
Gemini 3 Pro outperforms OpenAI's GPT 5.1 in general intelligence and coding tasks.
- Company
- OpenAI
- CEO
- Sam Altman
- Initiative
- Code Red
- Focus Area
- ChatGPT Improvements
- Delayed Initiatives
- Advertising, AI Agents, Shopping
- Ad Types Tested
- Online Shopping
- Competitor
- Competitor's AI Model
- Gemini 3
- ChatGPT Users
- 800 million weekly
- Gemini Users
- 650 million monthly
Sources
Sam Altman declares code red to improve ChatGPT as OpenAI pauses other initiatives
OpenAI CEO Urges ‘Code Red’ ChatGPT Push as Rivals Move In
Google has OpenAI rattled. Why that’s a problem for Oracle and Microsoft.
OpenAI developing new LLM codenamed ‘Garlic’ as ChatGPT goes into code red mode
OpenAI Secretly Building ‘Garlic’ to Take On Google Gemini 3 and Anthropic Opus 4.5
'Code Red' says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in an internal memo post Google Gemini 3 release: Report
