On Wednesday evening, OpenAI launched an application catalog where you can browse all currently available tools and opened its SDK to developers to create novel interactive experiences that run within the bot’s user interface. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said last month that “We plan to build out the obvious features you’d expect from a robust platform over time,” and opening an app store is certainly a huge step in that direction.
Another change is that OpenAI has renamed the “connectors” that helped users pull data from other services (like Google Drive or Dropbox) into ChatGPT, and now calls those applications as well. as support page explains, chat connectors are now “file search apps”, deep research connectors are now “deep research apps”, and synced connectors are now “sync apps”. It also mentions that apps can operate information from memory if it’s enabled, and for Free, Plus, Go, and Pro ChatGPT users, OpenAI can operate the information to train its models if the user has enabled the “improve model for all” option.
However, if you’re looking for something more interactive, it’s worth looking into ChatGPT apps like the ones that launched in October for Spotify, Zillow and other services, some of which are now available in more markets like Spotify on ChatGPT, which now works “in the UK, Switzerland and across the EU.” Recent additions include the Apple Music app, which can aid all users search for music or create playlists and manage subscribers’ music libraries from within the chatbot, and DoorDash, which can turn “recipe inspiration, meal planning and weekly staples into a handy shopping cart” in the same window.
The answer to the question of how all this helps OpenAI turn its AI business into something profitable is one thing that has yet to be explained. The announcement only said: “We are exploring additional monetization options over time, including digital goods, and will share more as we learn how developers and users create and engage.”