Additional Coverage:
- ChatGPT can now run apps and it forever changes how you get work done (digitaltrends.com)
OpenAI Integrates Third-Party Apps Directly into ChatGPT, Ushering in New Ecosystem
In a significant move poised to redefine how users interact with online services, OpenAI has announced the launch of “apps you can chat with, right inside ChatGPT.” This development transforms the popular AI chatbot into a central hub, allowing users to accomplish tasks with various platforms without ever leaving the ChatGPT interface.
This initiative marks a substantial shift from ChatGPT’s previous system of limited “connectors,” which offered restricted integration with a select few third-party services like Gmail or Dropbox. Now, OpenAI is opening the doors to developers, inviting them to build applications that can be directly accessed and operated within a ChatGPT dialog box.
The convenience factor is a key highlight of this new feature. Users will simply need to describe the task at hand and name the relevant app.
ChatGPT will then suggest appropriate apps at the right moment or respond when an app is called by name. These apps respond to natural language commands and include interactive interfaces that function seamlessly within the chat window.
OpenAI is kicking off this new capability with a roster of prominent partners, including Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Figma, Expedia, Spotify, and Zillow. These integrated apps will be available to all ChatGPT users, regardless of whether they are on the free tier or a paid subscription such as Go, Plus, or Pro. For instance, a user could type, “Booking, show me homestays for three people over the weekend starting on September 19,” and the AI chatbot would handle the search directly.
To facilitate this expansion, OpenAI has already released a Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers, built atop the open Model Context Protocol (MCP) standard. The company plans to begin accepting app submissions in the coming months, which will also introduce monetization opportunities akin to those found in established app stores like Apple’s App Store or Google Play.
This strategic move effectively positions ChatGPT as its own robust ecosystem, drawing parallels to the expansive platforms of Android and iOS. With ChatGPT already boasting an impressive 800 million active users, this integration offers a vast audience ready to engage with apps in an entirely new, conversational manner, potentially reshaping the landscape of digital interaction.
Read More About This Story:
- ChatGPT can now run apps and it forever changes how you get work done (digitaltrends.com)