OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Apps & Developer SDK
▼ Summary
– OpenAI has launched a new ChatGPT app ecosystem and SDK preview, enabling developers to build interactive applications using the Model Context Protocol.
– These apps are now available to all logged-in users outside the EU across Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans, with early partners including Booking.com, Canva, and Spotify.
– Apps integrate naturally into conversations and can be activated by name, with ChatGPT prompting users to connect and clarifying data sharing during first use.
– Developers can build apps using the open-source SDK to reach over 800 million users, with formal submissions and a directory launching later this year alongside monetization details.
– All apps must follow OpenAI’s safety and privacy policies, requiring clear data practices and stable performance, while EU availability and additional partner apps are planned for later this year.
OpenAI has introduced a new suite of ChatGPT Apps and a preview of its Developer SDK, empowering developers to build conversational, interactive tools using the Model Context Protocol. This expansion brings embedded third-party services directly into ChatGPT’s interface, allowing users to accomplish tasks without switching platforms. All logged-in users outside the European Union, spanning Free, Go, Plus, and Pro tiers, can now explore these integrated applications.
Early collaborators include household names like Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, Spotify, and Zillow. These apps blend naturally into ongoing conversations. For instance, you might type, “Spotify, make a playlist for my party this Friday,” and the app activates instantly. When using an app for the first time, ChatGPT requests permission and clearly explains what data may be shared. In a home-search scenario, it might suggest the Zillow app, letting you view property listings on an interactive map without exiting the chat.
John Weisberg, Zillow’s Head of AI, remarked, “The Zillow app in ChatGPT demonstrates how AI can humanize real estate. Partnering with OpenAI, we’re delivering a unique conversational guide that simplifies and speeds up the home-finding journey for millions.”
For developers, the open-source Apps SDK offers a direct channel to over 800 million ChatGPT users. Built on the Model Context Protocol, it supports custom chat logic and interface design, with options to link external backends for authentication or premium features. A Developer Mode inside ChatGPT enables straightforward testing. OpenAI supplies thorough documentation, design standards, and sample apps to streamline the creation process.
Developers can start building immediately, with a formal submission, review, and publication system, plus a searchable app directory, expected later this year. OpenAI also plans to share monetization options, including integration with the Agentic Commerce Protocol for seamless in-chat payments.
All apps must comply with OpenAI’s usage and safety policies, targeting appropriate audiences and providing clear third-party guidelines. Developers need transparent privacy policies, must limit data collection to essentials, and disclose permission usage. Draft guidelines emphasize purposeful design, truthful representation, and robust error handling. Submitted apps must prove stable, responsive, and low-latency; those prone to crashes or delays won’t be approved.
Although the initial release excludes the EU, OpenAI intends to offer these apps there shortly. Eleven additional partner apps are slated for a 2024 debut, with availability also extending to ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and Education plans.
Looking forward, AI-driven conversations could redefine how users discover and interact with services. Rather than relying on app store rankings, visibility may hinge on conversational relevance and demonstrated value within the chat itself. Teams designing these apps should anticipate the natural language cues that trigger their service and pinpoint the ideal moments for ChatGPT to suggest them.
(Source: Search Engine Journal)
