Washington, October 07 (QNA) - OpenAI has introduced a new feature that enables users to access and use third-party applications directly within ChatGPT, in a move designed to transform the popular AI assistant into an integrated productivity platform capable of carrying out complex tasks in collaboration with online services.
According to OpenAI, users can now open compatible applications during conversations, allowing ChatGPT to provide context, reasoning, and guidance while the external app executes specific actions.

At launch, the available applications include Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, Spotify, and Zillow, while additional apps such as DoorDash, OpenTable, Target, and Uber are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

The company said the rollout builds on OpenAI's recent efforts to make ChatGPT more interactive, following the introduction of in-chat purchasing features earlier this year.

In its official statement, OpenAI announced the release of a Software Development Kit (SDK), which allows developers to begin building experimental applications today. Later this year, developers will be able to submit their apps for review and publication through a dedicated directory that will enable users to browse, install, and interact with available tools.

OpenAI explained that the new capabilities are based on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that connects ChatGPT with external services, facilitating seamless collaboration between users and third-party applications.

Demonstrations shared by OpenAI showed how users could, for example, design a poster through Canva and then ask ChatGPT to generate a presentation using Figma, all within the same chat interface. The company also highlighted use cases such as searching for flights with Expedia or viewing home listings via Zillow, illustrating how everyday tasks can now be completed without leaving the chat.

OpenAI emphasized that privacy and data control remain central to the experience. When a user first connects an app, ChatGPT will display clear prompts explaining what information is being shared and for what purpose.

The company stated that the feature will gradually roll out to users outside the European Union across the Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans, with EU availability to follow later this year.

OpenAI said the update reflects its broader vision of evolving ChatGPT from a text-based assistant into a "chatable" platform, one where users, developers, and services collaborate seamlessly in a unified workspace. (QNA)