ChatGPT meets WhatsApp – Revolution of AI Communication

OpenAI has reached a new milestone by making its popular AI chatbot ChatGPT available on WhatsApp. This step allows WhatsApp users worldwide to interact with the AI tool, while US citizens can additionally speak with the assistant via a toll-free number. This decision is part of OpenAI's strategy to expand access to artificial intelligence and attract new users to ChatGPT. Antonia Woodford, product manager at OpenAI, emphasized the intention to break down barriers and bring AI opportunities closer to more people. She highlighted the excitement about offering ChatGPT through the familiar channels of WhatsApp and phone calls. WhatsApp users can use the chatbot by adding the number +1 1800 242 8478 to their contacts. In the USA, a call to the number allows for a free 15-minute talk time per month. However, the service is experimental and currently only available in the USA for phone calls. Text conversations via WhatsApp, on the other hand, are possible worldwide, with no registration on an OpenAI account required. Group conversations are excluded, and the chatbot's knowledge base only extends to September 2021. OpenAI warns that violations of the terms of use can lead to exclusion. A company spokesperson explained that availability and usage restrictions could change over time. For a more comprehensive experience, OpenAI recommends using ChatGPT directly through existing accounts. The introduction also puts ChatGPT in direct competition with Meta's own AI offerings, which are already integrated into its app portfolio.