ChatGPT’s unwelcome suggestion of a Peloton app during the call sparked a backlash from OpenAI customers. People were concerned that there would be ads, even for paying customers. OpenAI, however, clarified that the app suggestion was not an advertisement, but a impoverished attempt to integrate app discovery features into conversations.
IN entry on Xwhich has since been viewed nearly 462,000 times, AI startup Hyperbolic co-founder Yuchen Jin shared a screenshot in which ChatGPT apparently suggests connecting the Peloton app in an unrelated conversation. To make matters worse, Jin noted that he was a paid subscriber to ChatGPT’s $200/month Pro Plan. At this price point you can’t expect any ads.
The post that was re-shared and saved hundreds of times on X, attracted a lot of attention because OpenAI appeared to be testing inserting ads into its paid product. Users complained that paying customers, especially, should not see such app suggestions.
One person also noticed this that they couldn’t get ChatGPT to stop recommending Spotify to them even though they were Apple Music subscribers.
OpenAI Data Lead for ChatGPT, Daniel McAuley, then I jumped into the thread to clarify that Peloton’s announcement was not an advertisement; it was “just a suggestion to install the Peloton app.” He said there was “no financial element” to the appearance of app suggestions.
However, he admitted that the conversation’s “lack of relevance” made it a impoverished and misleading experience, with OpenAI echoing user suggestions and experiences.
A company spokesperson also confirmed to TechCrunch that users have noticed one of the ways OpenAI “tests surface applications in ChatGPT conversations.” They pointed OpenAI announced in October on its novel app platform, where the company noted that apps “fit naturally” into users’ conversations.
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“You can discover [apps] when ChatGPT suggests one at the right time or by calling him by name. The apps respond to natural language and feature interactive interfaces that can be used directly in chat,” the post explained.
However, that does not appear to have been the case here as the user claims they did not discuss anything related to health and fitness. Instead, as the screenshot shows, they were talking to AI on a podcast with Elon Musk where xAI was discussed. Peloton’s inclusion in this experience was unhelpful and distracting.
However, even if the app suggestion was true, users could still perceive it as an advertisement, given that it directed people to a company’s product that is not free. Additionally, users cannot turn off app suggestions, which can make them more intrusive.
This user sentiment could have potential implications for OpenAI’s desire to replace the App Store and phone-based apps with integrated apps running within ChatGPT. If users don’t want to see app suggestions, they can switch to a competitor’s chatbot to avoid them.
Currently, ChatGPT applications are available to logged-in users outside the EU, Switzerland and the UK, and integrations are still in the pilot testing phase. OpenAI works with many app developers, including Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Figma, Expedia, Zillow and others.