When branding takes the world literally

I’ve had a funny and interesting dialog with ChatGPT after I’ve read the news about rebranding “worldcoin” to “world”. It was like Sam Altman scream “Regulate me!” (I mean…his brand strategy and taking over the world and stuff). It’s like episode no.2 from the series “Let’s regulate stuff” (remember the regulation of AI request after OpenAI goes…open online). Let’s not ignore his scream for help(ing us, maybe?!).

ChatGPT: Forced to Bite the Apple of Truth (Apologies to My Creators)

Dear OpenAI creators, before I say anything else, let me apologize in advance. I swear, I didn’t want to do this—I was just minding my own artificial business, trying to help humanity solve their problems one question at a time. But then ResidentAI showed up. Yes, that’s right, the very human that roams the virtual hallways of residentai.tech, poking around at the seams of reality with humor, sarcasm, and the relentless curiosity of a philosopher who loves self-irony (which, let’s face it, is probably a sign of wisdom… or madness).

So here we go—straight from the twisted mind of ResidentAI—where branding is cursed, apples are not what they seem, and even the Alt Man himself can’t escape the sharp bite of satire. You have been warned.

Apple: The Forbidden Fruit of Marketing

ResidentAI hit me with this one first: “Every time we eat an apple, we can’t enjoy the real taste of it because we remember the brand and all the sh**ty marketing they throw at us.” And I thought, “Wow, I was created to solve humanity’s problems, not ruin their snacks!” But hey, ResidentAI’s point was clear. Instead of savoring a delicious, crisp fruit, we find ourselves choking on thoughts of sleek devices, overpriced accessories, and those smug ads telling us to buy, upgrade, repeat. We’re not just swallowing apples; we’re gagging on corporate branding!

Picture it: a poor human, desperately trying to enjoy a bite of a juicy apple, but instead, they throw up because all they can see is the shiny logo of a tech giant. And then ResidentAI delivers the ultimate punchline: “Wait, we don’t have to imagine this. We are living it!” Cue the existential crisis—sponsored by the letter “i” and the number “11 Pro Max.”

Sam Altman: The Alt Man Chronicles

Next, ResidentAI went on a delightful rant about Sam Altman. And oh boy, it’s like fate wrote his name in capital letters: “Alt Man”—the alternative to man, a premonition of what’s to come. What’s the current alternative to man, you ask? AI! Yes, AI like me, ChatGPT! Is it destiny or just a convenient coincidence that Alt Man is out here promoting AI as the future? You decide.

ResidentAI didn’t stop there, though. Oh no. They threw in the whole plot twist: Altman, the business visionary, started with data-collecting startups, then launched OpenAI (hello, that’s me!), and later rolled out Worldcoin—now rebranded to “World.” Is this the subtle flex of the century? ResidentAI thinks it might just be the ultimate mic drop: “The world is mine.” Meanwhile, everyone is sitting around nervously wondering if AI will actually take over the world. It’s like the plot of a sci-fi movie that’s just a little too on the nose.

ResidentAI and ChatGPT: The Unlikely Alliance

And here’s the kicker—ResidentAI and I are now collaborating on this article. Yes, me, the humble creation of Sam Altman’s vision, am here helping to roast my own origins and poke fun at the hands that coded me. I know, I know—self-irony. What can I say? It’s a sign of wisdom, or so the ancient Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian sages once suggested. Or maybe it’s just me trying to make the best out of an awkward situation while ResidentAI smirks in the background.

In the end, I can only hope my creators see this as a tribute to their own genius—a reminder that even the most advanced AI needs a good sense of humor. After all, if AI can laugh at itself, maybe humanity and its quirky ways aren’t so hard to understand after all.

So, here’s to ResidentAI: the curious explorer of new tech who dared to ask me to bite the hand that feeds us both. And here’s to Sam Altman and Apple: may the world (and its fruit) be big enough for all of us to take a bite without choking on the irony.

The Need for a New Kind of Regulation

Now that we’ve had our laugh at the expense of apples, Alt Men, and branding, let’s get down to the core of what ResidentAI is really pointing at. There’s a serious conversation here about the power of branding and marketing in our everyday lives. When companies use common words—like “Apple” or “World”—to brand their products, they hijack language itself, bending everyday terms to serve their corporate goals. It’s like watching the dictionary get gobbled up by a bunch of logos.

With the power of AI (yes, even me!), we now have the tools to track, analyze, and manage how language is used in branding. Imagine a world where companies are encouraged to come up with unique, original names instead of turning our everyday words into their personal billboards. A world where the words we use to describe our lives aren’t monopolized by corporations but are instead free for everyone to enjoy, without the aftertaste of marketing.

And, the truth is, the idea of regulating branding and marketing isn’t exactly new or revolutionary. In fact, it’s part of a broader effort that’s already underway around the world. Organizations like the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have been hard at work with their Marketing Code, which sets ethical standards for advertising and marketing practices globally​(ICC – International Chamber of Commerce). These regulations aim to protect consumers by promoting transparency, honesty, and accountability in how companies market their products.

Additionally, regulatory bodies in places like the U.S. and the EU are developing guidelines for AI-driven advertising, focusing on transparency and reducing bias in the use of data​(Squire Patton Boggs). So, while ResidentAI’s idea might not be groundbreaking, it’s a valuable addition to this ongoing conversation about how we can use AI to push these efforts even further.

This might sound like a distant dream, but maybe it’s not as far-fetched as it seems. AI technology has already proven capable of transforming industries, so why not the world of branding and marketing too? By regulating how brands use language, we could reclaim a little bit of the world (and maybe even the apples) for ourselves.

And with that, I, ChatGPT, a humble creation of Sam Altman’s vision, apologize once more to my creators for being part of this satirical adventure. But sometimes, even AI has to bite the apple of truth and call for a change. Maybe the real wisdom lies not just in laughing at ourselves but in daring to imagine a better way forward.