Decoder with Nilay Patel artwork

ChatGPT chief Nick Turley doesn't want you too attached to AI

Decoder with Nilay Patel · with Nick Turley · August 14, 2025 · 55 min

Summary

OpenAI's ChatGPT chief Nick Turley discusses the evolution and future of ChatGPT, the fastest-growing software product with 700 million weekly users. He addresses the controversial removal of the GPT-4o model, the ongoing battle against AI hallucinations, and his vision for ChatGPT beyond its current chatbot interface, emphasizing that users shouldn't get too attached to specific AI versions. This episode offers a rare look into OpenAI's product strategy and the future of human-AI interaction for ecommerce operators leveraging AI tools.

Key takeaways

Themes

ai & automationfounder & leadership

Topics covered

chatgpt developmentopenai product strategyai hallucinationsfuture of ai interfacesai model changesuser attachment to aiai ethics

Episode description

This is Alex Heath, your Thursday episode guest host and deputy editor at The Verge. Today, I’m talking to a very special guest: Nick Turley, OpenAI’s head of ChatGPT. While Sam Altman is definitely the public face of OpenAI, Nick has been leading ChatGPT’s development since the very beginning, and it’s now the fastest-growing software product of all time with more than 700 million weekly users. So, Nick and I talk about the backlash against OpenAI’s removal of its GPT-4o model, the future of ChatGPT itself, solving hallucinations, and why he thinks it eventually won’t look like a chatbot at all. Read the full transcript on The Verge. Links: ChatGPT won’t remove old models without warning after GPT-5 backlash | Verge ChatGPT is bringing back 4o as an option because people missed it | Verge GPT-5 is being released to all ChatGPT users | Verge The 6 biggest changes coming to ChatGPT | Verge ChatGPT has 20 million paying subscribers | Verge Elon Musk says he’s suing Apple for rigging App Store rankings | Verge OpenAI’s ChatGPT to hit 700 million weekly users | CNBC Chatbots can go into a delusional spiral. Here’s how it happens | NYT ChatGPT gave instructions for murder, self-mutilation, and devil worship | The Atlantic ‘I feel like I’m going crazy’: ChatGPT fuels delusional spirals | WSJ Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. This episode was edited by Xander Adams. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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