Ep. 375: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media?

Cal Newport, along with Jesse Miller, explores the potential impact of OpenAI's Sora app on social media platforms, questioning whether it could lead to their downfall by offering AI-generated content that surpasses user-generated content in engagement. Newport analyzes the competitive advantages of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, suggesting strategies for them to adapt and remain relevant in an AI-driven landscape, such as focusing on curated user bases and social graphs. The discussion includes listener questions on topics ranging from the future of creative industries in the face of AI to the appropriate age for children to have smartphones, and a case study on the benefits of a digital declutter. Newport also critiques OpenAI's recent strategic shift towards attention-grabbing content, interpreting it as a sign of trouble for the company's initial ambitious goals.