Sam Altman Slams Anthropic’s Super Bowl Ads, Emphasizes OpenAI’s Free AI Access

OpenAI’s CEO Takes Aim at Anthropic’s Advertising Tactics

Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, responded to the recent Super Bowl advertisements released by competitor Anthropic. He described the ads as “funny” but also labeled them as “clearly dishonest,” arguing that they violate the most important principle for advertising that OpenAI upholds. Altman said that the ads depict a deceptive approach that OpenAI would never employ, noting that users would reject such tactics.

Altman questioned why Anthropic would choose a format that openly misleads, especially in a high‑visibility venue like the Super Bowl. He suggested that Anthropic’s strategy appears to be a form of doublespeak—using a deceptive ad to criticize theoretical deceptive ads that do not exist. According to Altman, this approach is misaligned with the broader industry goal of building trust with users.

OpenAI’s Commitment to Free Access and Broad Adoption

In contrast to Anthropic’s premium‑oriented product, Altman emphasized OpenAI’s dedication to providing AI tools at no cost to the majority of users. He cited the fact that a larger number of Texans use ChatGPT for free than the total number of people who use Anthropic’s Claude model in the United States. This comparison underscores OpenAI’s focus on reaching a wider audience, particularly those who cannot afford subscription fees.

OpenAI’s policy, Altman explained, is to keep paid tiers such as ChatGPT Plus or Pro free of advertisements, ensuring that paying customers receive an uninterrupted experience. He reiterated that the company believes “everyone deserves to use AI” and that broader access creates personal agency for users.

Philosophical Differences on AI Governance

Altman warned that Anthropic appears to want to exert control over how AI is used, citing examples such as blocking certain companies from accessing its coding product and attempting to dictate the rules governing AI usage. He argued that a single authoritarian company cannot safely guide the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and that collaboration with the global community is essential for safety and beneficial outcomes.

OpenAI, according to Altman, is committed to “broad, democratic decision making” and to building a resilient ecosystem for advanced AI. The company’s focus on safety and widespread benefit aligns with its belief that the path to safe AGI requires cooperation rather than unilateral control.

Codex: Empowering Builders and Accelerating Adoption

Altman highlighted the success of OpenAI’s new Codex platform, describing it as a tool for “builders” that enables anyone to create applications quickly. Since its launch, Codex has been downloaded 500,000 times, a milestone that Altman believes signals strong user interest and confidence in the platform’s capabilities.

He expressed optimism that the upcoming weeks will bring additional features and improvements that will further empower developers. Altman’s confidence in Codex’s future performance reflects OpenAI’s broader strategy of delivering increasingly powerful AI tools at lower price points.

Future Outlook and Commitment to Lower Prices

Looking ahead, Altman pledged that OpenAI will continue to work hard to make more intelligence available at “lower and lower prices” for its users. He framed the current era as belonging to the builders rather than to entities seeking to control them, reinforcing the company’s dedication to democratizing AI technology.

Overall, Altman’s remarks draw a clear distinction between OpenAI’s open‑access philosophy and Anthropic’s more restrictive, profit‑driven approach, underscoring an ongoing industry conversation about the balance between commercial viability, user accessibility, and ethical responsibility.