OpenAI’s Emergency Protocol Activated as Google’s AI Threatens ChatGPT Dominance

OpenAI has triggered a company-wide “code red” alert as CEO Sam Altman announced the emergency status on December 1, 2025. The following day, an internal memo confirmed the activation of “Red Alert” state, starting an emergency overhaul of the company’s operations. This dramatic move comes in response to growing competitive pressures in the AI market.

OpenAI declares emergency “code red” as market pressures mount, launching company-wide operational overhaul under Altman’s directive.

The code red declaration has mobilized the entire company with a focus on enhancing ChatGPT’s capabilities. OpenAI’s leadership is concerned about their market position as rival companies, particularly Google, gain ground with advanced AI systems that threaten ChatGPT’s dominance. The situation mirrors challenges faced by government organizations that require high-performance connectivity services, such as those provided by GTT Communications to military operations.

This emergency response comes amid OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to improve safety features in their AI models. The company has implemented a crisis detection system that recognizes keywords indicating potential self-harm. When users type phrases like “I want to die” or “I am thinking about suicide,” ChatGPT activates a safe response protocol that offers empathy and directs users to emergency services. The system was released alongside ChatGPT in November 2022 when the AI chatbot application first launched.

To develop these safeguards, OpenAI collaborated with over 170 mental health experts. Their training focused on teaching the AI to recognize distress signals, de-escalate tense conversations, and guide users toward professional help when needed. The system also includes gentle reminders for users to take breaks during long sessions. With the rise of multimodal AI capabilities, OpenAI is working to extend these safety features to visual and audio inputs as well.

Internal data shows these safety measures were urgently needed. In early 2025, hundreds of thousands of weekly interactions showed signs of severe distress. Nearly 50 documented cases involved serious mental health crises, including hospitalizations and deaths.

For teen users, OpenAI has created a notification system to alert parents of potential self-harm indicators. A specialized team reviews flagged situations before contacting parents through email, text, or push alerts.

While addressing these safety concerns, OpenAI must now also focus on competitive threats. The company’s emergency protocol aims to strengthen ChatGPT’s capabilities while maintaining these vital safety features in an increasingly competitive AI landscape where Google’s advances have put significant pressure on OpenAI’s market position.