ChatGPT Evolves with Third-Party Apps, Eyes AI Operating System Role

ChatGPT Integrates Third-Party Applications, Redefining AI Interaction

OpenAI has announced a major update for ChatGPT, introducing integrated third-party applications that allow users to directly discover and utilize external software within the conversational AI interface. This new functionality enables ChatGPT to suggest relevant applications during a discussion, or users can invoke them by name to accomplish various tasks. From browsing data and generating visuals to booking services and accessing productivity tools, these actions can now be performed seamlessly without leaving the chat environment.

Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, highlighted this strategic shift during OpenAI’s Developer Day keynote. He stated that opening ChatGPT for developers to build “real apps” inside the platform would usher in a new era of interactive, adaptive, and personalized applications that users can engage with through conversation. The initial pilot program includes applications from prominent companies such as Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Figma, Expedia, Spotify, and Zillow. This early phase is available in English for logged-in users outside the European Union, encompassing Free, Go, Plus, and Pro subscription plans, with plans for more partners and EU availability later in the year.

ChatGPT’s Evolution as an AI Operating Layer

The introduction of applications within ChatGPT could propel the AI assistant beyond its current conversational capabilities, establishing it as an ambient operating layer where diverse third-party software can exist and interact. This innovative approach positions ChatGPT as a central hub for various services and transactions, all managed within a single chat thread. The implications of this development are significant, suggesting a fundamental change in how users interact with technology.

Pareekh Jain, CEO at EIIRTrend and Pareekh Consulting, described this move as effectively positioning ChatGPT as an AI operating system or conversational runtime. He noted that it allows users to discover, invoke, and interact with multiple mini-applications and services entirely within a chat-driven interface. Jain believes this development brings ChatGPT closer to becoming an OS-like layer for tasks and services, indicating a broader strategic vision for the platform.

Sanchit Vir Gogia, CEO and chief analyst at Greyhound Research, further elaborated on this concept, stating that while traditional operating systems organize processes, ChatGPT organizes purpose. He emphasized that each command is understood and acted upon through intent rather than strict syntax, underscoring the conversational and intuitive nature of this evolving AI platform. This intent-driven interaction promises a more natural and user-friendly experience, blurring the lines between command-line interfaces and natural language processing.

The shift towards an AI operating layer signifies a departure from conventional software models, where users typically navigate separate applications. Instead, ChatGPT aims to integrate these functionalities into a unified, conversational interface. This could streamline workflows and enhance user convenience by consolidating multiple digital interactions into a single, intelligent platform. The potential for a deeply personalized and context-aware experience within this new framework is immense, as the AI can dynamically suggest and manage tools based on the ongoing conversation.

Empowering Developers with the Apps SDK

At the core of this ambitious expansion is the Apps SDK, a software development kit designed to enable developers to build applications that seamlessly operate within the ChatGPT ecosystem. This SDK is built upon the open standard Model Context Protocol (MCP), which provides the framework for ChatGPT to link with external data sources and various tools. Through the Apps SDK, developers gain access to a full development stack, allowing them to connect their data, trigger specific actions, and render fully interactive user interfaces directly within ChatGPT.

The Apps SDK also supports additional features, such as enabling existing subscribers to log in directly from a conversation in ChatGPT. OpenAI has further outlined plans to introduce monetization options, including a new agentic commerce protocol that facilitates instant checkout processes right within the ChatGPT interface. This functionality opens new avenues for developers to generate revenue and for users to complete transactions efficiently, enhancing the platform’s commercial viability.

In a move to foster broader adoption and innovation, OpenAI has open-sourced the Apps SDK. This decision allows developers to deploy their ChatGPT applications across any platform that adopts the Model Context Protocol standard, promoting interoperability and expanding the reach of these new applications. OpenAI asserts that developers choosing to build apps for ChatGPT can potentially reach over 800 million users, presenting a significant market opportunity.

Gogia commented on this developer-centric approach, noting that developers often perceive market reach, rather than code complexity, as the primary hurdle to achieving a return on investment. He stated that the new SDK effectively removes this bottleneck, transforming the chat surface into a commercial marketplace with immediate access to hundreds of millions of users. This vast user base makes the ChatGPT platform an attractive environment for developers seeking widespread distribution for their innovations.

Despite the promising opportunities presented by the Apps SDK, analysts advise caution, as the SDK is still in its preview phase. Jain highlighted several constraints that developers should anticipate, including limited UI flexibility within ChatGPT’s chat-first interface and restrictions concerning state retention, latency, API limits, and user data access. He also noted that identity and authentication will adhere to OpenAI’s protocols, with restricted access to personally identifiable information (PII). Key risks include typical platform dependencies, such as reliance on OpenAI’s evolving policies, potential competition from its partners, and heightened compliance and security requirements, particularly for enterprise or regulated use cases. These considerations underscore the need for developers to carefully navigate the platform’s evolving landscape.

The Enterprise Opportunity and Future Outlook

OpenAI’s strategic vision extends beyond consumer applications, with plans to launch apps to ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and Edu editions later this year. These specialized versions will feature a dedicated directory where users can browse and search for relevant applications. However, inclusion in this directory will be contingent upon apps meeting the strict standards outlined in the Apps SDK developer guidelines. Furthermore, applications that demonstrate higher design and functionality standards are likely to receive prominent featuring in both the directory and during conversational interactions, encouraging high-quality development.

Gogia predicts that with the introduction of business and enterprise editions, organizations will soon deploy internal applications using the same Model Context Protocol. These internal tools will incorporate enterprise-grade features such as single sign-on, comprehensive logging, and role-based access controls. In this scenario, ChatGPT could serve as a controlled front end for a range of internal systems, including HR platforms, analytics dashboards, and IT service operations. This integration would transform how businesses manage their internal processes.

He further suggested that for many companies, this development will mark the beginning of the “conversational enterprise,” where internal processes are executed through a single, policy-bound chat interface. This paradigm shift has the potential to fundamentally reshape how information, approvals, and accountability flow within an organization, making internal operations more efficient and intuitive. The integration of AI-powered conversational interfaces into core business functions could streamline communication and automate tasks, leading to significant productivity gains and a more agile operational structure.

This enterprise focus underscores OpenAI’s ambition to make ChatGPT a ubiquitous tool across various sectors, not just for individual users. By providing robust features tailored for business and educational environments, OpenAI aims to establish ChatGPT as a foundational layer for digital transformation, leveraging its AI capabilities to enhance productivity, collaboration, and data management. The future direction points towards an ecosystem where AI acts as a central orchestrator of digital interactions, from simple queries to complex enterprise workflows.