OpenAI has announced the integration of ChatGPT within WhatsApp, making artificial intelligence accessible for free via the popular messaging application. This innovation allows users to interact with ChatGPT as if they were chatting with a human contact or with the Meta AI already present on the platform. The initiative is part of the “12 days of OpenAI”, a series of announcements that the company is releasing daily, some of which are defined as having a great impact such as Sora, and others which are more contained.
To access the service, simply add the number 1-800-242-8478 to your WhatsApp address book. This solution allows AI to be used even over low-speed mobile connections, making it accessible to a wider audience. The choice of WhatsApp as a distribution platform is strategic, considering that the app has over 2.7 billion users globally, with a forecast of exceeding 3 billion next year. For OpenAI, the integration with WhatsApp represents an opportunity to reach a large audience, especially in a context of the growing popularity of MetaAI.
In the United States, users can also call the number and have a voice conversation with ChatGPT, leveraging the technology behind Realtime API. In many areas of the world, access to high-speed data connections can be expensive or difficult. WhatsApp, thanks to its efficiency, has established itself as a privileged communication tool in these contexts. The ChatGPT integration offers the ability to interact with AI by asking questions in natural language, without the limitations imposed by using the ChatGPT web app. The language model used is GPT-4o-mini, the same one available in the free version of ChatGPT.
OpenAI suggests various uses, including: support for creative writing and brainstorming, suggestions on recipes, travel and other topics, conversations on current affairs, hobbies and general knowledge. The company emphasizes that this is an experimental version, so usage limits may apply and availability may vary based on demand. For a full experience, with more features and customizations, existing users are encouraged to continue using ChatGPT via their accounts.
