OpenAI Issues Code Red to Boost ChatGPT as Google Gemini Surges Ahead
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declares a "code red" to prioritize ChatGPT improvements, pausing advertising and AI agent projects. The urgent shift comes as Google's Gemini 3 model outperforms ChatGPT on key industry benchmarks.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman issues a "code red" internal memo that directs the company to prioritize improvements to ChatGPT. This elevated status means all other projects take a backseat as the company focuses specifically on enhancing the chatbot's day-to-day user experience.
To achieve these rapid improvements, OpenAI delays several major product initiatives, including the integration of advertising into the ChatGPT app. The company also pauses development on AI agents designed for shopping and healthcare, while Altman encourages temporary team transfers and institutes daily development calls.
This urgent internal shift responds directly to rising pressure from Google, as the recently launched Gemini 3 model outperforms ChatGPT on multiple independent reasoning benchmarks. OpenAI plans to launch a new reasoning model next week to help close this competitive gap.