Sam Altman says he hasn’t used Google in ages, relying instead on his own AI tools like ChatGPT

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, revealed during a recent dinner with reporters that he no longer uses Google for searches. “I don’t use Google anymore. I legitimately cannot tell you the last time I did a Google search,” he said, according to a report from The Verge’s Command Line newsletter. Altman’s comment underscores a growing shift in how top AI leaders access information, with many turning to their own AI tools instead. Given that OpenAI’s ChatGPT is now deeply integrated into daily workflows, it’s no surprise that Altman relies on it for answers rather than traditional search engines. Despite being competitors in the AI space, OpenAI has partnered with Google Cloud to provide essential computing infrastructure for running ChatGPT. Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, calling Google Cloud an open platform that supports innovation across startups and AI labs. He said the company looks forward to strengthening its relationship with OpenAI. OpenAI recently launched GPT-5, the latest version of its flagship model, which Altman described as a “major upgrade” and a “significant step along the path of AGI.” He claimed the model is so advanced that returning to GPT-4 feels “miserable.” He also announced that GPT-5 will be free for all users, eliminating the need to switch between different models for various tasks. However, the initial rollout of GPT-5 faced backlash from users who preferred the stability and familiarity of GPT-4o. In response, OpenAI reinstated access to GPT-4o, highlighting the strong user dependency on the earlier model. While both OpenAI and Google have not yet commented on Altman’s remarks, the dynamic between the two companies continues to evolve—marked by rivalry in AI development and collaboration in cloud infrastructure.