Speaking during a recent episode of the “Relentless” podcast, Altman said he intentionally used TikTok as part of an effort to study the platform while OpenAI was developing its own AI-generated video social media application, Sora.
“I deleted TikTok because it was just too powerful,” he said.
The OpenAI chief executive explained that he deliberately exposed himself to the platform to understand why TikTok had become known for one of the most effective recommendation systems in the technology industry.
“I made myself get addicted to TikTok, because I wanted to just learn,” Altman said.
Initially, he believed he could manage his usage and only spend a short amount of time on the app. However, he said the platform quickly demonstrated how difficult it could be to control engagement.
“I really thought it was great,” he said. “And then I thought I could control it. I was like, ‘Oh, it’s actually kind of fun,’ but I only use it for 10 minutes to wind down before bed, and I’m totally in control of it. And then it was an hour one night. And then some Saturday afternoon, I was on the couch for like three hours.”
Altman described the experience as a lesson in the strength of highly personalized recommendation systems, saying he recognized that his growing usage was unhealthy even though he enjoyed the content.
“I knew it was bad for me, but I was really enjoying it in the moment like a drug,” he said.
The tech executive said he eventually managed to reduce his time on the platform before deciding to remove the app completely.
“I briefly got it back under control, and I was down to five, 10 minutes a night, whatever, like a little wind down before bed,” he said. “Then I was just like, enough.”
Altman’s comments come as OpenAI has also stepped away from its own social media ambitions. The company announced in March that it was discontinuing its Sora social video application after about six months of development, choosing instead to focus resources on its broader artificial intelligence goals.
The Sora app had attracted significant attention when it was announced because of its ability to generate AI-created videos. The project also faced challenges, including the large computing resources required to support advanced video generation at a time when competition in artificial intelligence was accelerating.
Altman discussed his TikTok experience in the context of OpenAI’s plans for future AI-powered consumer devices being developed with input from former Apple design chief Jony Ive. The company has said the upcoming devices are intended to provide a different approach to technology interaction, reducing the constant stream of alerts and distractions associated with modern smartphones.
Altman previously said he wanted future devices to avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed by notifications, comparing the current smartphone experience to “walking through Times Square.”
OpenAI has also emphasized that it does not measure the success of its products simply by how long users remain engaged. The company has said its goal is to help users accomplish tasks effectively rather than encourage endless usage.
“Instead of measuring success by time spent or clicks, we care more about whether you leave the product having done what you came for,” OpenAI said in a previous statement.
Altman’s remarks highlight a growing debate in the technology industry about the balance between creating engaging digital experiences and designing products that respect users’ attention and well-being.