OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has "inadvertently" revealed at TED 2025 that ChatGPT may have hit the billion-user milestone, doubling its user base "in just weeks." The sudden surge comes courtesy of those Studio Ghibli-style images that colonised everyone's social feeds last month.
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The Week in Data

Hello ODI Supporter,

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has "inadvertently" revealed at TED 2025 that ChatGPT may have hit the billion-user milestone, doubling its user base "in just weeks." The sudden surge comes courtesy of those Studio Ghibli-style images that colonised everyone's social feeds last month. One billion users is a staggering figure - that's roughly one in eight humans on the planet asking an AI to turn them into anime characters or write their homework. No wonder Altman is contemplating a social network of his own, with OpenAI reportedly considering a platform to compete with Elon Musk's X and Meta's Instagram (which Zuckerberg has kicked off a fight to retain in Washington this week). A battle of the billionaires is on and probably deserves the attention we spend looking at posts on their apps. 

 

Palantir is joining forces with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to build a "mega API" for the IRS, consolidating all tax databases into one system. Engineers claim they can finish in just 30 days - the same timeframe my plumber gave before disappearing for three months. If they succeed, American tax records will be accessible and potentially alterable in one place. What could possibly go wrong? I'm sure they'll protect it with something stronger than "password123" or "MuskLovesDoge."

 

Workplace whistleblowing has seen a significant uptick, with Safecall reporting its largest ever number of reports last year. Allegations of bullying, discrimination, and substance abuse jumped 16% in 2024 compared to 2023, with the latter nearly doubling in recent years. Bullying and discrimination reports have risen by 9% since 2020. Experts warn, however, that companies watering down their diversity policies could make staff "nervous" about reporting concerns. 

 

Finally, in news that sounds straight out of a Douglas Adams novel, Google has developed DolphinGemma, an AI model designed to decode dolphin communication. The project works with researchers at Georgia Tech and the Wild Dolphin Project to analyze clicks, whistles and burst pulses from Atlantic spotted dolphins in the Bahamas. The model can identify recurring sound patterns and potentially generate novel dolphin-like sequences. The research team plans to share the open model this summer, giving scientists worldwide the tools to mine their own acoustic dolphin datasets. No word yet on whether the dolphins' first deciphered message will be "So long, and thanks for all the fish" or simply "Humans, please stop dumping plastic in our home." Either way, it's nice to know that while we're busy teaching AI to create anime selfies and consolidate tax records, someone's using it to potentially talk to another species. Priorities, people.

 

Until next time

 

Matthew and Jo

 

PS: You have until Wednesday 30 April, 10:00 BST to apply to join the ODI Solid Advisory Committee. Find out about all the roles we’re looking for and apply. 

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From the outside world

ChatGPT Hits 1 Billion Users? ‘Doubled In Just Weeks’ Says OpenAI CEO

Forbes

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman “inadvertently” revealed at TED 2025 that ChatGPT has potentially reached 1 billion users after doubling its user base in just weeks, with significant growth attributed to viral features like the Studio Ghibli-style image generation launched in March 2025.

 

OpenAI considering its own social network to compete with Elon Musk’s X

CNBC

OpenAI is considering building a social network to compete with Elon Musk’s X and Meta’s Instagram, a source familiar with the plans confirmed to CNBC.

 

OpenAI considering its own social network to compete with Elon Musk’s X

The Verge

OpenAI is working on its own X-like social network, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

 

Landmark antitrust trial could force Zuckerberg to sell Instagram

BBC

A landmark antitrust trial beginning Monday could potentially force Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to sell Instagram and WhatsApp, as the US Federal Trade Commission alleges these acquisitions eliminated competition, though the case faces political complications with Trump's recent firing of FTC commissioners and Zuckerberg's lobbying efforts to have the case dropped.

 

Palantir is helping DOGE with a massive IRS data project

Wired

Palantir is collaborating with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on a project to build a "mega API" that would consolidate access to all IRS databases, potentially creating a system where sensitive taxpayer data could be viewed and possibly altered in one place, with engineers confident they can complete the project in 30 days.

 

More staff blowing the whistle on bullying and discrimination, data reveals

Evening Standard

Whistleblower reports of workplace misconduct including bullying, discrimination, and substance abuse have significantly increased in 2024, with Safecall recording a 16% rise in reports compared to 2023, though experts warn that the global trend of companies diluting their diversity policies could discourage staff from reporting concerns.

 

DolphinGemma: How Google AI is helping decode dolphin communication

Google

DolphinGemma, a large language model developed by Google, is helping scientists study how dolphins communicate — and hopefully find out what they're saying, too.

From the ODI

Solid Advisory Committee

We are opening the call for members of the Solid Advisory Committee.

 

Data-centric AI webinar #9 Unveiling AI-Driven Collective Action for a Worker-Centric Future

Free webinar, Wednesday 23 Apr 2025 16:00 BST, book now

Join Dr Saiph Savage, Assistant Professor at Northeastern University in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, as she discusses how AI can be used to make working conditions better for workers.

 

How to use Generative AI to support learners

Free webinar, Thursday 24 Apr 2025, 02:00 BST book now

A practical deep dive into the benefits and challenges of using task-specific AI tutors.

 

Data Ethics Professional webinar #4: using demographic data ethically

Free webinar, Wednesday 30 Apr 2025 16:00 BST, book now 

Join Washington Technology Solution’s Cathi Greenwood, the state of Washington’s Open Data Program Manager, for her presentation on the importance of data ethics in organisations.

 

The Future of Data Infrastructure: a global view with Aaron Maniam

Free webinar, Wednesday 7 May 2025, 16:00 BST book now 

In this insightful session we'll dive into how governments can create digital transformation that's inclusive, equitable, and built to last.

The Week in Data

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