At a time when social media platforms are struggling with fake accounts and automated noise, OpenAI is quietly experimenting with a very different idea for online conversations.
People familiar with the matter told a publication that OpenAI is working on an early-stage social network focused on one core promise: real conversations led by verified humans, not bots pretending to be people. The project is still at a very early stage and is being developed by a small internal team of fewer than 10 people. There is no confirmed timeline for a public launch.
The move comes as major platforms face growing criticism for being overrun by spam, fake profiles and AI-generated replies. According to sources, OpenAI believes the problem can only be solved by addressing identity at the foundation. Unlike existing platforms that rely on phone numbers or email verification, this network may require users to prove they are human through biometric checks.
Options discussed internally include Apple’s Face ID and the World Orb, a device that scans a person’s iris to create a unique digital identity. The World project is run by Tools for Humanity, a company founded and chaired by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Such a system could make large-scale bot activity nearly impossible. However, it has also raised concerns among privacy experts, who warn that biometric data cannot be changed if compromised. Sources say these risks are part of ongoing internal discussions.
While specific features are still unclear, people aware of the project say users may be able to use AI tools to create images and videos. This would put OpenAI in direct competition with platforms like Instagram and TikTok, both of which are already investing heavily in AI-driven content tools. Instagram alone has more than 3 billion monthly active users, highlighting how competitive the space has become.
The idea is also linked to frustrations around bot activity on X. The issue became more visible after Elon Musk took over the platform and reduced trust and safety teams. Although X removed about 1.7 million bot accounts in 2025, automated replies and spam remain common.
Altman has publicly criticised this trend, saying conversations about AI online often feel artificial. He has referred to the so-called dead internet theory, noting that AI-run accounts appear far more common than they were just a few years ago.
OpenAI’s past consumer successes offer confidence but no guarantees. ChatGPT crossed 100 million users in 2 months and now serves hundreds of millions globally. Sora crossed 1 million downloads in under 5 days. Still, entering social media means competing with players like Threads, Bluesky, Instagram and TikTok.
For now, OpenAI has not commented on the project. Whether it launches or not, the experiment reflects a risky question: do users still want a social space where they know they are talking to real people?
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