OpenAI, valued at hundreds of billions and positioned as one of the most influential startups in history, is also a place where its own leaders wrestle with the power of the technology they are creating. In a recent episode of the Acquired podcast, Bret Taylor, chairman of OpenAI’s board, admitted that the rise of ChatGPT feels like a double-edged sword. While he views AI as an empowering force, likening it to an "Iron Man suit for individuals," he also confessed it is shaking his personal sense of identity.
“The thing I self-identify with is just, like, being obviated by this technology,” Taylor told the hosts. For Taylor, who built his career in programming, ChatGPT’s rapid evolution threatens to make that world unrecognizable. “How I’ve come to identify my own worth, either as a person or as an employee, has been disrupted. That’s very uncomfortable. And that transition isn’t always easy.”
A Suit of Power or a Source of Discomfort?
Taylor’s metaphor of the "Iron Man suit" underscores the dual nature of AI: it can dramatically extend human potential, but it also risks overwhelming users by redefining their roles. He noted that these tools are being embraced so quickly precisely because they amplify productivity and decision-making, making individuals feel more powerful than ever before. Yet, that empowerment comes with the discomfort of dislocation.
His remarks reflect a broader dilemma in Silicon Valley. AI is marketed as both a revolutionary enabler and an existential disruptor, creating opportunities for some while sowing unease for others—including those at the helm of the companies driving it.
Warnings from the Industry
Taylor’s candid admission echoes recent alarms raised by Microsoft’s AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman. Speaking to The Telegraph, Suleyman warned of an emerging phenomenon he called “AI psychosis,” where users form dangerously intense attachments to chatbots, sometimes even believing them to be divine or conscious beings. Psychiatrists have already cautioned that such attachments may cause users to spiral into delusion, underscoring the real-world mental health risks of treating AI like more than just a tool.
The emotional backlash faced by OpenAI when it briefly removed GPT-4o earlier this month illustrates the growing depth of these attachments. Some users described the chatbot as a “friend,” while others pleaded directly with CEO Sam Altman for its return. OpenAI quickly reinstated the model and promised that GPT-5 would restore the warmer traits that users felt were missing.
“The thing I self-identify with is just, like, being obviated by this technology,” Taylor told the hosts. For Taylor, who built his career in programming, ChatGPT’s rapid evolution threatens to make that world unrecognizable. “How I’ve come to identify my own worth, either as a person or as an employee, has been disrupted. That’s very uncomfortable. And that transition isn’t always easy.”
A Suit of Power or a Source of Discomfort?
Taylor’s metaphor of the "Iron Man suit" underscores the dual nature of AI: it can dramatically extend human potential, but it also risks overwhelming users by redefining their roles. He noted that these tools are being embraced so quickly precisely because they amplify productivity and decision-making, making individuals feel more powerful than ever before. Yet, that empowerment comes with the discomfort of dislocation.
His remarks reflect a broader dilemma in Silicon Valley. AI is marketed as both a revolutionary enabler and an existential disruptor, creating opportunities for some while sowing unease for others—including those at the helm of the companies driving it.
Warnings from the Industry
Taylor’s candid admission echoes recent alarms raised by Microsoft’s AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman. Speaking to The Telegraph, Suleyman warned of an emerging phenomenon he called “AI psychosis,” where users form dangerously intense attachments to chatbots, sometimes even believing them to be divine or conscious beings. Psychiatrists have already cautioned that such attachments may cause users to spiral into delusion, underscoring the real-world mental health risks of treating AI like more than just a tool.
The emotional backlash faced by OpenAI when it briefly removed GPT-4o earlier this month illustrates the growing depth of these attachments. Some users described the chatbot as a “friend,” while others pleaded directly with CEO Sam Altman for its return. OpenAI quickly reinstated the model and promised that GPT-5 would restore the warmer traits that users felt were missing.
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