OpenAI Brings ChatGPT to the Phone and WhatsApp for Wider Accessibility

In a significant move to expand its user base, OpenAI is now making its popular AI chatbot ChatGPT accessible via phone calls and WhatsApp. This development aims to bring AI technology to a broader audience, especially those who may not be familiar with its web-based platform.

Users in the US can dial the toll-free number 1-800-CHATGPT to interact with ChatGPT for a limited 15 minutes per month, while users globally can access the chatbot by messaging "1-800-CHATGPT" on WhatsApp. Although the phone service and WhatsApp integration are still experimental, this new accessibility feature offers a simplified experience compared to the full capabilities available on the web. OpenAI plans to monitor user response and adapt its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its users.

This expansion is part of OpenAI's growing efforts to challenge the dominance of other large tech companies in the rapidly growing generative AI market. The company has recently expanded its user offerings with the public release of GPT-4 Turbo, an AI video-generation tool, and has also hired a new advertising team and received significant funding to fuel its growth. The move is expected to increase OpenAI's user base, positioning it as a strong competitor in the market.

With the integration of search into ChatGPT, OpenAI aims to establish itself as an internet powerhouse, competing with the likes of Google. The expanded reach of the search feature is expected to increase the company's computing needs and costs, but CEO Sam Altman remains committed to the growth plan, targeting hundreds of millions of users. As AI technology continues to evolve, OpenAI's innovative approach to accessibility and expansion is set to have a significant impact on the tech landscape.