5 August 2026
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has sparked debate after suggesting parents use ChatGPT to create personalised podcasts for their children on the school run.
Sam Altman’s latest parenting suggestion has reignited debate over AI’s role in family life
The tech boss’s comments went viral after he posted on X that one “cool use case” for ChatGPT involved parents telling the AI chatbot about their children’s interests so it could generate a podcast tailored to them for the drive to school.
The suggestion quickly divided opinion, with critics arguing it risked replacing valuable conversations between parents and their children with artificial intelligence.
Among the most widely shared responses was one from Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch, who replied: “What if you just talked to your children.”
Altman’s post attracted more than 14 million views over the weekend, with many users questioning whether AI should play such a prominent role in family life.
The controversy is not the first time Altman has promoted ChatGPT as a parenting tool.
Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in December, the father of one said: “I cannot imagine having gone through figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT. Clearly people did it for a long time no problem.”
Artificial intelligence companies are increasingly positioning their technology as a way to support parents, from personalised learning tools to AI-generated bedtime stories.
Reports have also suggested OpenAI has explored developing family-focused AI products, while Meta is testing AI-powered bedtime story features.
The debate comes as the use of AI chatbots continues to grow. According to recent research by the Pew Research Center, almost half of US adults now say they use AI chatbots, up significantly from the previous year, although public attitudes towards the technology remain mixed.
Many parents responding to Altman’s latest comments argued that everyday moments, such as the journey to school, should remain opportunities for family conversation rather than AI-generated entertainment.
One user wrote: “Car chats with my kids are some of the most precious time. Not interested in having a chatbot podcast hijack it.”
The discussion highlights the growing divide over where artificial intelligence should fit into family life, with supporters viewing it as a helpful tool and critics warning against allowing technology to replace meaningful parent-child interactions.