Okay, tech enthusiasts, buckle up! Because things are about to get a whole lot more interesting in the world of AI. OpenAI, the powerhouse behind ChatGPT, just dropped a bombshell at its annual DevDay 2025 conference: Apps are coming to ChatGPT!
That’s right, imagine chatting with ChatGPT and seamlessly accessing tools from your favorite services like Booking.com, Expedia, Spotify, Figma, Coursera, Zillow, and Canva – all without ever leaving the chat window. It’s like having a super-powered assistant that can not only answer your questions but also do things for you, right within the conversation.
Why is this a big deal?
Well, think about it. Currently, you might hop between ChatGPT and other apps to complete a task. Need to book a flight? You’d ask ChatGPT for recommendations, then open Booking.com to actually book it. Want to learn about machine learning? ChatGPT can provide information, but you’d then head over to Coursera to enroll in a course.
With this new integration, OpenAI is aiming to streamline that entire process. As CEO Sam Altman put it, they want ChatGPT to be a tool that helps people "make progress, be more productive, more inventive, to learn faster, to do whatever they’re trying to do in their lives better." And these integrated apps are the key.
So, How Does It Work? The Magic of In-Chat Apps
Forget separate app stores. These apps live directly within ChatGPT. It’s all about making the AI experience richer and more useful. And the best part? You interact with them using natural language, just like you’d chat with a friend.
Here’s a taste of what’s possible:
- Design Like a Pro with Figma: Simply say, "Figma, turn this sketch into a workable diagram," and watch ChatGPT pull up the Figma app and get to work.
- Level Up Your Skills with Coursera: Ask, "Coursera, can you teach me something about machine learning?" and ChatGPT will connect you with relevant Coursera courses.
- Find Your Dream Home with Zillow: Tell ChatGPT you’re looking for apartments in a specific area within a certain price range. It’ll then pull up an interactive map powered by Zillow, showing you options you can explore directly within the chat.
The magic doesn’t stop there. ChatGPT is designed to be proactive. Let’s say you’re planning a party. If you ask ChatGPT for playlist ideas, it might suggest using the Spotify app to create one, bringing the app into the conversation automatically.
And the future looks even brighter, with plans to integrate apps like DoorDash, Instacart, Uber, and AllTrails in the works.
Behind the Scenes: The Apps SDK and Model Context Protocol (MCP)
So, how is all this wizardry possible? It all comes down to the new Apps SDK (Software Development Kit). This is the toolkit that OpenAI is giving developers, allowing them to build these interactive experiences within ChatGPT.
The key ingredient is the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Think of this as the secret sauce that lets developers connect their data sources to the AI system. It’s what allows ChatGPT to understand your requests and pull in relevant information from external services.
ChatGPT apps can also trigger actions – like booking a flight or creating a diagram – and render fully interactive user interfaces right within the chatbot’s response. Some apps can even display videos within ChatGPT, pinned to the top of the page and updated based on your requests.
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Already subscribed to a service? No problem! You’ll be able to log in to your account directly within ChatGPT, unlocking personalized features and content.
Monetization on the Horizon
For developers, this isn’t just about building cool experiences; it’s also about creating sustainable businesses. Altman has stated that OpenAI plans to support ways to monetize apps inside of ChatGPT, including through their recently launched Instant Checkout feature.
The Million-Dollar Question: Data Privacy
Of course, with all this exciting new functionality comes a crucial question: What about privacy? How much data will these third-party developers have access to?
OpenAI acknowledges these concerns and states that developers must "collect only the minimum data they need, and be transparent about permissions." However, the exact details are still a bit murky. Will developers have access to your entire conversation history, just the last few messages, or only the specific prompt that triggered the app?
It’s also unclear how ChatGPT will choose between competing services. If you ask for food delivery, will it recommend DoorDash or Instacart? Could companies pay to be featured more prominently in ChatGPT’s responses? OpenAI insists that it plans to prioritize the user experience above all else, but how that will play out in practice remains to be seen.
What This Means for the Future of AI
This move by OpenAI is a significant step towards making AI a truly integrated part of our daily lives. It’s not just about asking questions anymore; it’s about getting things done, seamlessly and efficiently, with the help of AI-powered apps.
Imagine a future where you can manage your entire day – from booking travel to learning new skills to ordering groceries – all through a single, conversational interface. That’s the vision OpenAI is painting, and with the launch of the Apps SDK, they’re taking a big leap towards making it a reality.
The Key Takeaways
- Apps are now integrated directly into ChatGPT.
- Interact with apps using natural language, just like chatting with a friend.
- Access services like Booking.com, Spotify, Figma, and more without leaving ChatGPT.
- The Apps SDK allows developers to build interactive experiences within ChatGPT.
- Privacy concerns are being addressed, but details are still evolving.
- This marks a major step towards AI becoming a truly integrated part of our lives.
So, what do you think? Are you excited about the arrival of apps in ChatGPT? What kind of apps would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below!
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