WSJ Tech News Briefing — Tech Minute: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Declares ‘Code Red’ to Improve ChatGPT

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Julie Chang (The Wall Street Journal)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of urgent and unfolding developments across major tech companies. The spotlight is on OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who has initiated a “code red” push to address competitive pressure on ChatGPT, pausing other projects to focus on critical improvements. Updates on Apple's strategic AI leadership changes and Samsung’s new foldable smartphone offering round out the tech news of the day.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. OpenAI Declares ‘Code Red’ for ChatGPT

• Urgency for Improvement:
  Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, sent a company-wide memo declaring a “code red” to accelerate the refinement of ChatGPT.

  • Focus areas: Personalization, speed, reliability, and expanding the scope of questions the chatbot can answer.
  • Internal memo referenced by The Wall Street Journal.

• Competitive Pressure:
  OpenAI is reacting to mounting competition—particularly from Google, whose latest Gemini AI model “surpassed OpenAI on industry benchmark tests.” (00:32)

• Strategic Shift:
  Other projects—including advertising and AI agents for health & shopping—are deferred to laser-focus efforts on ChatGPT.

  “OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees yesterday that the company was declaring a code red effort to improve the quality of ChatGPT and delaying other products as a result.”
  — Julie Chang, 00:17

2. Apple Revamps its AI Leadership

• Leadership Transition:
  John Giannandrea, Apple’s Senior VP in charge of AI, steps down and will move to an advisory role until spring 2026.

• Succession:
  Amar Subramania, with experience at Google (Gemini project) and Microsoft, joins Apple as VP of AI.

• Reason for Change:
  The reshuffle follows Apple’s struggles to deliver on highly-anticipated AI features promised in 2024, signaling an effort to regain momentum.

  “The reorganization follows Apple's struggles to keep pace with rivals in AI, failing to release planned features announced in 2024.”
  — Julie Chang, 01:17

3. Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Tri Fold

• Product Launch:
  Samsung introduces its Galaxy Z Tri Fold—marketed as the “first mass market smartphone that folds not just once but twice.”

• Market Expectations:
  Launches in South Korea and globally in December, with US release expected in Q1 2026.

• Competitive Context:
  Samsung is positioning ahead of Apple’s rumored foldable phone in 2026.

• Market Impact:
  Foldables currently account for 2% of US smartphone shipments but projected to reach 6% by 2027 with Apple’s eventual entry.

  “Samsung Electronics unveiled its Galaxy Z Tri Fold yesterday. It'll go on sale in South Korea and elsewhere this month, and it's expected to hit US shelves as early as the first quarter of next year.”
  — Julie Chang, 01:37

• Market Response:
  Samsung’s shares rose 2.5% on the news.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On OpenAI’s Strategic Shift:
  “Altman said OpenAI had more work to do to improve the chatbot's personalization features, increase its speed and reliability and allow it to answer a wider range of questions.”
  — Julie Chang, 00:26

• On Apple’s AI Struggles:
  “The iPhone maker announced yesterday that John Giannandrea…is stepping down. His duties will be split among other senior VPs...Amar Subramania will join Apple as vice president of AI.”
  — Julie Chang, 01:06

• On the Foldable Smartphone Market:
  “Foldable phones accounted for just 2% of smartphone shipments in the US last year, according to Counterpoint. The research firm says that could rise to as high as 6% by 2027. With Apple's entry, Samsung shares are up about 2.5%.”
  — Julie Chang, 01:58

Timestamps for Key Segments

• OpenAI Declares ‘Code Red’ and Response to Google: [00:17 – 01:00]
• Apple’s AI Leadership Changes & Industry Challenges: [01:01 – 01:30]
• Samsung’s Tri Fold Launch & Foldable Smartphone Outlook: [01:31 – 01:58]

Summary Table

| Segment | Topic | Notable Quote/Fact | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | OpenAI ‘Code Red’ | ChatGPT improvements, competition | “Declaring a code red effort to improve the quality…” | 00:17 | | Apple’s AI Team Revamp | Leadership changes, industry lag | “The reorganization follows Apple’s struggles…” | 01:17 | | Samsung Galaxy Z Tri Fold Launch | New product, market impact | “The first mass market smartphone that folds…twice.” | 01:37 |

This tech minute crisply captures the urgency of the AI arms race, emerging leadership trends, and unfolding innovation in hardware, providing listeners with a clear, essential update on the competitive dynamics driving today’s top tech companies.