Sam Altman and Bill Gates discussed their phone habits on the billionaire Microsoft founder’s podcast “Unconfuse Me.” For both, messaging apps are king.

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Sam Altman doesn't use ChatGPT as often as Slack. (Photo: Reuters)

For Altman, the app he uses most is Slack. He uses it “all day” and “more than email.” “I wish I could say ChatGPT,” the OpenAI CEO quipped. Second to Slack is iMessage.

Altman's response is reminiscent of a previous revelation that OpenAI employees used Google Meet instead of Teams, even as Microsoft poured $10 billion into the startup.

As for Gates, he uses Outlook most often. “I’m an old-school email guy,” he says. He also reveals that much of his news reading is suggested by the browser. On this subject, Altman says he doesn’t consider web browsers to be applications.

Additionally, the two tech luminaries discussed artificial intelligence (AI) on the podcast, with Altman concerned that people will have to quickly adjust to how AI will change their lives and work.

“Every technological revolution is happening faster and this is probably the fastest it’s ever been. That’s part of what makes me a little bit scared about the speed at which society has to adapt and the labor market is going to change,” he said.

Altman also briefly mentioned his brief firing from OpenAI in November 2023. At the time, the board said they “lost confidence in Altman’s ability” to lead, as well as his dishonesty in his communications. After Microsoft approached him and offered him a position in charge of AI research, and most OpenAI employees insisted on leaving, Altman was brought back in less than a week.

Altman called this “a real coming-of-age moment for us. We were motivated to get better and become a company that was ready for the challenges ahead.”

(According to Insider)