OpenAI has officially announced a major update to ChatGPT, transforming it into a powerful platform that can host third-party apps directly inside the chatbot. This announcement was made during the company’s DevDay event, where CEO Sam Altman also revealed that ChatGPT now has over 800 million weekly users a huge milestone for the platform.
A New App Ecosystem Inside ChatGPT
OpenAI is launching a new software development kit (SDK) that allows developers to build apps specifically for ChatGPT. This means ChatGPT is no longer just a conversational AI it’s becoming an app ecosystem where users can access and use different services without leaving the chat.
For example, users will soon be able to ask ChatGPT to perform tasks using other apps like saying, “Ask Spotify to create a study playlist” or “Show me apartments on Zillow.” When you use an app for the first time, ChatGPT will ask for your permission to connect it and let you choose what data to share.
A Step Toward Smarter, More Interactive AI
Sam Altman described this change as the start of a new generation of interactive and adaptive apps. With this expansion, developers will be able to scale their products faster, while users get a more seamless and personalized experience inside ChatGPT.
This feature also shows OpenAI’s vision for ChatGPT as a central hub for both AI assistance and app integration, where you can manage, explore, and use your favorite services all through natural language.
Monetization and App Store Features Coming Soon
OpenAI also confirmed that it will begin accepting third-party app submissions later this year, allowing developers to publish and even monetize their apps within ChatGPT.
Additionally, new commerce features will let users make direct purchases through the chatbot similar to how app stores work on smartphones. This could turn ChatGPT into a one-stop platform for shopping, learning, entertainment, and productivity.
App Discovery and Public Directory
To help users explore, OpenAI will introduce a public app directory inside ChatGPT. This directory will showcase apps from verified developers, and those that meet higher quality standards in design, security, and performance will be featured more prominently.
This will make it easier for users to discover useful tools from productivity apps and music services to educational platforms and e-commerce solutions all accessible through simple text-based commands.
Final Thoughts
With this update, ChatGPT is evolving from a smart assistant into a complete AI-powered platform. By allowing third-party apps, OpenAI is opening the door for endless possibilities where users can get things done faster, developers can reach millions of users directly, and businesses can innovate through AI-powered experiences.
This move marks one of the biggest transformations in ChatGPT’s journey so far redefining what a chatbot can do and setting a new standard for how humans interact with technology.
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