In the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence, bold ideas spread quickly. Sometimes, they even go viral. That’s what happened to Ömer Öztok, a LinkedIn user who recently applied — half seriously, half satirically — to be the next CEO of OpenAI.
A Satirical Job Application
Öztok’s public “application” quickly caught fire online. His vision for OpenAI was as wild as it was funny. Among his proposals were:
- Replacing the entire executive team with ChatGPT agents.
- Poaching Meta’s full AI division to boost OpenAI’s talent.
- Buying Google, not for its business, but simply “for the name.”
- Training GPT-6 exclusively on his personal tweets.
He even demanded 50% ownership of the company in exchange for his leadership. That bold request alone was enough to turn heads.
OpenAI’s “Rejection Letter”
According to the screenshot Öztok shared, OpenAI did reply — with humor. The supposed rejection letter called parts of his pitch “apocalyptic” and “disruptive.” In the end, though, the board said it had chosen “a more traditional candidate.”
Was the letter real? No one knows for sure. But the internet didn’t care. The post spread quickly, drawing thousands of likes, shares, and comments applauding the creativity.
Why It Went Viral
Several factors made the story resonate:
- Timing: OpenAI has dominated headlines with leadership changes, board drama, and product launches.
- Tone: The mix of satire and seriousness played into broader debates about AI and leadership.
- Humor: In a field often buried in jargon, Öztok’s parody felt refreshingly absurd.
It also raised a bigger question: If AI can already write, code, and negotiate, could it one day actually run a company?
The Bigger Picture
Of course, Öztok’s stunt was satire. Still, it highlights a real debate: how far should AI go in decision-making and governance?
Today, AI tools already draft reports, analyze data, and suggest strategies. Some companies are even experimenting with AI “agents” that support management tasks. Could tomorrow’s boardrooms include automated executives?
For now, ChatGPT won’t be replacing Sam Altman or any other tech CEO. Yet as AI evolves, what feels like a joke today may not seem so far-fetched tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
Ömer Öztok didn’t get the job. But he did capture the internet’s imagination. His viral post was both a clever parody of tech culture and a playful reminder of how blurred the line between satire and possibility has become.
After all, if AI can pass law exams, compose music, and make memes go viral — why not apply for CEO?
Resources:
https://knowledgenexuses.com/
