Investor Jason Calacanis says OpenAI is facing an existential threat as tech giants prepare to use their balance sheets to turn consumer chatbots into a free commodity.
In a new episode of the All-In podcast, the angel investor says OpenAI has now become a major threat to the interests of Big Tech names, including Google, Meta, Microsoft and Apple.
According to Calacanis, the incumbent AI leaders do not want another player in the field.
“Here’s what Google and other folks are planning. They’re going to take the main revenue stream of OpenAI, and they’re going to suck the oxygen out of the room, and they’re going to try to strangle Sam [Altman] and the team over there by making it free… This is war. This is the greatest battle we’ve seen since Netscape versus Microsoft and the internet. They’re going to make Gemini free for life for the best models.
That’s my prediction for Google. And I think Meta will be right behind them. Why? They have the ad network already built. And they know in that fierce competition… the duopoly does not want to become a throuple with Sam.”
Last week, CEO Sam Altman issued a companywide ‘Code Red’ as Google’s Gemini 3 surpassed OpenAI’s models on benchmark tests.
Calacanis expands his argument on X, saying the dynamic will mirror the browser wars that crushed Netscape’s paid model.
“I actually used the Netscape analogy on All In this week, because the biggest challenge OpenAI will face is Google, Apple, Microsoft and Meta making their product free for consumers. OpenAI understands this full well, I’m certain — which is why they called a Code Red. They need to make ChatGPT 3x as good as the free products out there. This is a competition for the ages!”
“Big Short” investor Michael Burry also shares the same view, predicting that OpenAI will be the next Netscape.
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