OpenAI Is Turning ChatGPT Into An App Platform

OpenAI's Vision From Chatbot to Operating System

At its recent annual developer conference, DevDay, OpenAI unveiled a series of updates that signal a major shift in its strategy for ChatGPT. The company is no longer content with building a powerful chatbot; its new ambition is to transform ChatGPT into a new kind of operating system.

A New App Ecosystem How Integrations Work

The centerpiece of this announcement is the new Apps SDK, which officially enables the integration of third-party applications directly into the chat experience. This allows for seamless interactions that were previously impossible. For instance, a user can now simply ask ChatGPT, "Spotify, please create a playlist for my party this Friday," and the music streaming app will respond directly within the conversation.

Furthermore, ChatGPT will intelligently recommend and launch relevant apps based on the context of your discussion. If you are talking about buying a house, ChatGPT can automatically open the Zillow app, presenting an interactive map with homes that fit your budget.

The initial wave of partners for this new ecosystem is impressive, featuring major names like Spotify, Zillow, Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Figma, and Expedia. More companies, including Uber, DoorDash, and Target, are expected to join later this year.

The Strategic Play Challenging Big Tech

This isn't OpenAI's first attempt to build an app ecosystem. A previous initiative, the GPT Store, launched last year but failed to gain significant traction. The key difference now is the deep integration of apps directly into ChatGPT's conversational responses, making them instantly accessible and useful.

While this move seems to be a direct challenge to digital assistants like Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google Assistant, industry analysts believe OpenAI's goals are much larger. The ultimate aim may be to create a new platform that could one day replace the web browser. If ChatGPT's app ecosystem becomes diverse and functional enough, users might find less need to open Chrome or Safari for their daily tasks.