But as OpenAI pushes forward with GPT-5 and new monetization ideas, it’s also facing mounting legal challenges and questions over user privacy. 

In its legal battle with The New York Times over copyright infringement, a court ordered OpenAI to preserve all output log data from ChatGPT—even if users request deletion or privacy laws would normally require it. OpenAI’s current policy is to retain deleted chats for 30 days before erasing them. The company plans to appeal the ruling.

ChatGPT stores troves of sensitive data, and “privacy needs to be the core principle of using AI,” Altman said on the podcast when asked about The Times’ request. 

“It’s a crazy overreach of The New York Times to ask that,” he added.