San Francisco: OpenAI has announced a major upgrade to ChatGPT, enabling the AI model to connect directly with popular digital services like Spotify, Booking.com, and Canva through a new Apps SDK (Software Development Kit). This feature marks a significant step in transforming ChatGPT into a truly interactive, task-oriented digital assistant.
From Conversation to Seamless Action
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman unveiled the new capability at the company’s annual Developer Day in San Francisco. Addressing hundreds of developers, Altman stated that the feature would allow ChatGPT to seamlessly interact with apps for music, travel, and real estate—all performed within the chat interface.
The Apps SDK allows ChatGPT to connect with partner platforms to execute real-world actions. Users can now move beyond simply asking questions to initiating tangible tasks. For instance, a user can simply type:
“Spotify, make a playlist for my party this Friday,”
and the app will create and share a playlist directly within the ChatGPT window. Similarly, if a user is discussing buying a new home, ChatGPT can automatically pull up listings through Zillow, displaying them on an interactive map without the user having to leave the conversation.
Altman explained that OpenAI waited for its technology to mature before launching such deep integrations, noting, “The models are there now.”
Key Partners and Regulatory Hurdles
The initial launch partners going live on Monday in select markets include industry leaders such as Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Figma, Expedia, Spotify, and Zillow. More partners, including Uber, AllTrails, and DoorDash, are expected to integrate later this year.
However, the feature is not yet available in Europe, where tighter data protection and AI deployment regulations are still under evaluation, reflecting the ongoing global tension between rapid AI development and regulatory oversight.
Enterprise Focus Amid Financial Realities
OpenAI President Greg Brockman emphasized that the same innovations driving the model’s world-class results—such as those seen in areas like the International Mathematical Olympiad—will also deliver tangible benefits for enterprise clients. OpenAI is increasingly positioning ChatGPT as a business platform, aggressively courting partnerships with major tech players.
Despite this aggressive growth trajectory, which includes plans to build over $1 trillion in computing capacity, Altman acknowledged that OpenAI remains a loss-making venture. While stating that profitability was “not in my top 10 concerns,” he maintained that it would eventually be necessary, concluding that “real value will get created” as the technology evolves. Brockman affirmed the company’s commitment to creating “the best enterprise platform” in the industry.
