A viral claim alleging that a former OpenAI manager toldThe New Yorkerthe company is building 'portals' to summon aliens has been widely debunked after spreading rapidly across social media.
The story, which also suggests such portals already exist in the United States, China and the Middle East, triggered confusion online as users questioned whether artificial intelligence research had taken a dramatic and unexplained turn.
The alleged quote began circulating in posts on platforms including X, where users shared screenshots and commentary suggesting OpenAI was involved in experimental 'portal' technology.
The claim attributed the statement to a former senior OpenAI manager and described the development of systems capable of 'summoning aliens'. It also referenced OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman in relation to alleged international installations.
Former OpenAI manager: "We build portals from which we actually summon aliens"🧐🤔A former senior official at OpenAI said in an extensive investigative piece in The New Yorker that the company is building "portals" from which "actually summon aliens. According to him, such...pic.twitter.com/SMoevFQfiQ
Despite the dramatic framing, the content has not been supported by any official source. The wording has been widely identified as part of a misleading viral narrative rather than factual reporting.
Investigations into the origin of the claim suggest it stems from a social media post that misrepresented itself as referencing an investigative article inThe New Yorker. The post circulated widely and was later reshared without context, contributing to the perception that it was linked to legitimate journalism.
There is no verified record of any interview or report inThe New Yorkercontaining such statements. The attribution to a 'former OpenAI manager' has also not been substantiated, and no named individual has been identified as making the remarks in a professional or public capacity.
OpenAI has not issued any statement indicating involvement in 'portal' technology, nor is there any documentation supporting claims of extraterrestrial-related research. Publicly available information on the company shows its work is focused on artificial intelligence systems, including large language models and machine learning tools.
Journalistic archives and databases contain no record of the alleged quote, and no reputable media outlet has published material supporting the viral narrative. Fact-checkers reviewing the claim have confirmed that it does not appear in any legitimate investigative reporting.
Source: International Business Times UK
