OpenAI has launched custom versions of ChatGPT, which can be tailored and adapted for specific applications. This transforms the chatbot interface to a digital platform similar to iOS or Android.
The GPTs are tools that can be created in plain English to help with tasks such as tutoring children in maths, designing a website, or creating a travel concierge. The Microsoft-backed artificial Intelligence firm said it plans to launch a GPT Store within the next few weeks to collect the best apps and split revenue with the most popular GPT Creators.
Launching the store exactly one year after ChatGPT’s public debut is reminiscent of Apple’s decision in 2009 to launch its iOS App Store, a year following the iPhone’s introduction into the software service business.
At an event on Monday for developers, OpenAI announced that ChatGPT has 100mn active users each week. It also launched GPT-4 Turbo for developers. This AI model can analyze more than 300 pages in one prompt and costs half as much as its previous offering.
“We think that if people are given better tools, then they can do incredible things.” Sam Altman is the chief executive officer of OpenAI. “Eventually, you will be able to ask a computer what you want and it will perform all these tasks,” he said.
Altman added that OpenAI’s “gradual, iterative deployment” is the approach they use to create autonomous AI.
Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft) joined Altman in the stage. He said that OpenAI “built something magic” and that the partnership between the two groups was ultimately about “getting the benefits of AI widely disseminated for everyone”.
Altman: “I believe we have the best tech partnership and I am excited to build [artificial intelligence] with you.”
The company has also showcased GPTs such as a computer science lesson plan from Code.org, an organization that teaches children to code. It also displayed a manual for Airbnb houses, where its AI models, like Dall-E2, automatically generated images and directions based on the user’s prompts.
“We think natural language will play a major role in how people use computers going forward.” Altman stated that this is an early but interesting example.
OpenAI launched its conversational bot in November last year. Since then, it has added features such as image generation and analysis, to ChatGPT. OpenAI stated that the new GPTs could be created by ChatGPT Plus users and then shared online via a link, or for internal use within its enterprise customers.
These tools can be used for other actions such as booking tables at restaurants. Altman stated that AI chatbots, such as GPTs, would begin to perform online tasks independently. They will become so-called agents. He said that AI chatbots will be able “gradually” to perform more complex tasks on behalf of users.
OpenAI is under pressure as it expands its ambitions to build a viable business while developing cutting-edge AI. It must raise capital for computing and infrastructure costs. The company has been in discussions with investors, including Thrive capital, about selling shares for $86bn. This is roughly three times the value of its shares six months ago.
OpenAI’s stock sale would be one of the most valuable private companies in the world if it were to reach the target level.