OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Access: Now Available via Phone Calls and WhatsApp

Beyond smartphones: ChatGPT now available on landlines (and WhatsApp)

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. What just happened? OpenAI is trying to make access to its artificial intelligence as inclusive as possible. By extending ChatGPT's reach to landlines and popular messaging platforms, the company is paving the way for broader adoption of its generative AI tool. In a move acknowledging that not everyone has or wants a smartphone, OpenAI has announced the expansion of ChatGPT's accessibility to landline phones. As of Wednesday afternoon, anyone in the United States can now engage with ChatGPT by dialing 1-800-242-8478 (1-800-CHATGPT), allowing users to interact with the AI assistant through voice conversations. The service offers a 15-minute free calling period, after which the call automatically terminates. You can now talk to ChatGPT by calling 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478) in the U.S. or by sending a WhatsApp message to the same number - available in all locations where ChatGPT is accessible. Comparisons between ChatGPT's new availability on landlines and its Advanced Voice Mode are not as direct as they might initially seem. While both features involve voice interactions with ChatGPT, they are separate implementations with some key differences. Advanced Voice Mode is a feature available to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers through the ChatGPT mobile app and web interface. It uses more sophisticated technology, including GPT-4o, a natively multimodal model that can directly process and generate audio, allowing for more natural, real-time conversations. By contrast, the landline service focuses on basic functionality like answering questions and translating sentences. Absent are the advanced features of Advanced Voice Mode such as emotion recognition or multimodal capabilities. Simultaneously, OpenAI has added ChatGPT integration with WhatsApp, catering to users who prefer text-based interactions. Here too, this version offers a more basic experience compared to the official ChatGPT app. But as with the landline accessibility, it provides a way for WhatsApp users to access the AI assistant without needing to create a separate account. The WhatsApp integration comes with certain limitations, including a daily usage cap. Users will receive notifications as they approach this limit, at which point they can continue their interactions by downloading the ChatGPT app or using the desktop version. One significant constraint is the absence of group chat support, meaning ChatGPT cannot be added to WhatsApp group conversations. OpenAI has hinted at upcoming enhancements for the WhatsApp integration in a livestream announcing the two products, including image analysis and web search capabilities, though no specific timeline has been provided for these features. Interestingly, this expansion originated from a hack week project, according to OpenAI chief product officer Kevin Weil. "The team built this just a few weeks ago, and we loved it, and they hustled really hard to ship it, and it's awesome to see it here," he said.

Talk to ChatGPT without the internet: Your new hotline buddy

OpenAI has launched new features for ChatGPT, notably enabling users to interact with the AI via landlines and WhatsApp. This service allows individuals in the U.S. to call 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) without requiring an internet connection. The move aims to enhance accessibility and engagement, providing users with real-time assistance on various topics. OpenAI's introduction of ChatGPT for landlines represents a significant advancement in accessibility for users without internet access. By dialing 1-800-CHATGPT, callers engage with a voice-only version of the platform, utilizing Advanced Voice Mode technology. This allows for a fluid conversational experience, enabling users to ask questions, get translations, and seek assistance on basic tasks. Importantly, U.S. users receive a free initial 15 minutes of calling, after which standard carrier rates apply. This development signifies OpenAI's commitment to reaching a broader audience, particularly those lacking advanced devices or reliable internet service. In a recent demonstration, OpenAI illustrated how this feature could be beneficial for travelers wanting instant information about their surroundings without using data. It's a straightforward and effective way to engage with sophisticated AI technology, reinforcing OpenAI's goal of making artificial general intelligence (AGI) accessible to all. In addition to landlines, OpenAI has expanded its services to the popular messaging platform WhatsApp. Users can now initiate a text-based chat with ChatGPT by messaging the same number, 1-800-CHATGPT. This integration allows users to ask questions and engage in conversations without needing a dedicated account, although a daily limit on usage applies. While the WhatsApp interface remains basic at this stage, OpenAI is actively working on enhancements that may include image analysis and web search capabilities. Such features could significantly increase user interaction depth. Users are also notified as they approach their daily usage limits, improving usability and helping manage expectations. Kevin Weil, OpenAI's Chief Product Officer, stated that the motivation behind these updates stems from a desire to democratize AI technology. "Our mission is to make AI beneficial to all of humanity. Bringing ChatGPT to phones and WhatsApp is a step toward that goal," he articulated. This approach reflects OpenAI's commitment to bridging the digital divide, allowing for a more inclusive technology landscape. Alongside the landline and WhatsApp features, OpenAI has made ChatGPT Search publicly available for free. This service enables users to ask real-time questions and receive answers backed by data collected from the web. Furthermore, recent updates included video support for ChatGPT, enhancing the Advanced Voice Mode to allow users to engage in conversations via video chat effectively. Also noteworthy is the integration of ChatGPT in iOS systems, with the latest update to iOS 18.2 allowing users to communicate directly with ChatGPT through Siri. This indicates a growing trend of integrating AI functionalities into existing platforms, facilitating diverse interaction methods.

OpenAI goes retro, making ChatGPT available over the phone - SiliconANGLE

On day 10 of its Christmas holiday-themed press blitz, OpenAI announced one of the most intriguing updates yet, saying ChatGPT is now available over the telephone. It's now possible to call ChatGPT directly, and for free, on 1-800-CHATGPT, and engage with it for up to 15 minutes per month, though standard carrier fees may apply. The new feature was reportedly dreamed up just a few weeks ago, said OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil in a livestream that announced it to the world. It's only available to users in the U.S. at this time, but for those who live elsewhere, they'll instead be able to talk to ChatGPT over WhatsApp. That service is rolling out globally from today, and can be accessed at 1-800-242-8478, OpenAI said. The 15-minute limitation for those who want to call ChatGPT and converse with it directly is said to be per phone number, per month, so users could theoretically use Google Voice to create a few more numbers and basically get unlimited access to the service. According to OpenAI, the phone number was created using the Realtime application programming interface, while the WhatsApp messaging feature is powered by the GPT-4o mini model, which is integrated with the WhatsApp API. Weil said on the livestream that the phone call feature is intended to get more people to start using AI for the first time. They'll be able to talk to what is really a simplified version of ChatGPT, and it represents a "low-cost way to try it out" through a more familiar channel, he said. For users seeking more comprehensive features, with higher usage limits and personalization, the regular ChatGPT interface remains their best bet. "Our mission is to make artificial general intelligence beneficial to all of humanity, and part of that is making it as accessible as possible to as many people as we can," OpenAI chief product officer Kevin Weil said during a livestream. "Today, we're taking the next step and bringing ChatGPT to your telephone." As far as the actual experience goes, it will be immediately familiar to anyone who has used ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, which enables users to engage with the chatbot in a conversational way. It will respond to user's questions over the phone, and can handle tasks like translations, OpenAI said. It's worth noting that Google LLC announced a similar tool for Google Search way back in 2007. It enabled people to call the Google Search engine directly via GOOG-411, providing free directory assistance via voice. However, the service was quietly discontinued three years later, without any official announcement. Later, it was revealed by Google's then-vice president Marissa Mayer that the service had been part of an effort by Google to collect a database of voice samples to power its speech recognition technology. OpenAI appears to be aware of this footnote from history, and a spokesperson later told media that the company won't be using any of the call recordings to train its large language models. As for the WhatsApp integration, this will be a more traditional chat experience, enabling users to interact with ChatGPT from directly within the popular messaging app. It'll be a basic, back-and-forth exchange, without the customization options available in the official ChatGPT application. The best part is that users won't need an account to interact with ChatGPT, but they will face limits. OpenAI said users will receive a notification as they approach their daily limit, but it didn't say how many queries people will be restricted to. The company is working on additional features for ChatGPT WhatsApp, including image analysis and web search, but hasn't said when they'll become available.

'Hello Again, It's ChatGPT': You Can Now Call ChatGPT Straight From Your Phone

Global users don't have access to the call feature, but they can text ChatGPT through WhatsApp at the same number. Have a question for ChatGPT but lack a Wi-Fi connection? OpenAI has introduced a new way to connect with its popular AI chatbot for U.S. users: Call 1-800-CHATGPT or 1-800-242-8478. OpenAI announced the feature on Wednesday and demonstrated how it works through a YouTube livestream. OpenAI researchers called the number with everything from an iPhone to a flip phone to a landline. No matter the medium, the end output was the same: A female voice saying, "Hello again, it's ChatGPT, an AI assistant. Our conversation may be reviewed for safety. How can I help you?" In the live demo, ChatGPT helped identify landmarks that a researcher said he saw on a road trip. In another instance, it provided a different researcher with an English-to-Spanish translation so that she could greet a friend's grandmother in Spanish. The move to have ChatGPT available via phone call is part of the company's goal to make AI "as accessible as possible to as many people," OpenAI product lead Kevin Weil said in the demo video. Related: After This 26-Year-Old Got Hooked on ChatGPT, He Built a 'Simple' Side Hustle Around the Bot That Brings In $4,000 a Month Right now each phone number is limited to 15 free minutes of call time, with no disclosed plans to monetize the feature. Only U.S. users get to call ChatGPT, but OpenAI also announced Wednesday that global users can access the chatbot by sending the 1-800-242-8478 number messages via WhatsApp. In the demo, ChatGPT offered a recipe for a pesto pasta dinner via WhatsApp and modified it to be vegan at the user's request. Both calling and messaging features involve talking to ChatGPT without creating an account. The OpenAI team built this capability within a few weeks, according to Weil. "They hustled really hard to ship it and it's awesome to see it here," he said. The feature is one of many announcements that OpenAI has made as part of its "12 Days of OpenAI" event. Other new features released by the company under the same event include opening up ChatGPT Search for all users, free or paid, and releasing its text-to-video generator Sora to the general public.

OpenAI's new hotline: Chat with ChatGPT anytime, anywhere

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More For the 10th day of OpenAI's "12 Days of Shipmas" event, the company decided to go a bit old-school by launching a phone number for people to call and speak with ChatGPT. U.S.-based users can call 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478) on any device that can make calls -- including a rotary phone -- as OpenAI demonstrated in its live stream. If you have an international number, you can message ChatGPT using WhatsApp. It might seem odd that ChatGPT, which has a web version, mobile apps on iOS and Android, and desktop applications for MacOS and Windows, will need a phone number to ask ChatGPT a question. But OpenAI explained that the feature is ideal for those without consistent data connections. Deploying AI wherever it can OpenAI said the feature enables wider access to ChatGPT. After all, calling a phone number is usually free and accessible for people who may not have unlimited data or who are not close to a Wi-Fi connection. However, anyone who wants to call ChatGPT can only do so for 15 minutes a month. This isn't the first time a tech company has utilized calling or texting to expand its user base. In countries like the Philippines, Facebook offers a way for people to use SMS to post on the social media platform. This proved a boon in expanding Facebook's reach in the Philippines, where most people have a cellphone, although not necessarily a smartphone. Filipinos are now some of the largest users of the social network. Not that ChatGPT is hurting for users. It is still one of the most used AI platforms out there, even with more competition in the market. OpenAI said its business offerings, ChatGPT Enterprise, Team and Edu alone, logged more than 1 million users as of September. A month earlier, ChatGPT itself reached 200 million users. OpenAI offers ChatGPT for free, but it gives its more advanced models and other powerful features to subscribers at the Plus, Teams, Pro, Enterprise and Edu levels. "This is an experimental way to talk to ChatGPT, so availability and limits may change," the company said. "For a fuller experience with more tools, higher limits and more personalization, existing users should continue using ChatGPT directly through their accounts." The drawbacks Calling ChatGPT feels like using OpenAI's Voice and Advanced Voice Model. I called ChatGPT and asked for ideas on what to do during a layover in Tokyo. As expected, it gave me some suggestions. The difference though, is I did not get a readout of my conversation with ChatGPT. If I use Advanced Voice Mode, anything we discussed is transposed into a written chat that I can look back at when I log into my account. I also highly doubt any developers will call ChatGPT and ask it to code anything. But the feature is interesting and it does work. Not bad for something OpenAI developers created just a few weeks ago for a Hack Week.

Your landline now has access to ChatGPT

Summary OpenAI has launched a 1-800 number for ChatGPT, allowing users in the US and Canada to interact with the AI via phone call. The AI giant has also brought ChatGPT to WhatsApp, enabling users to chat with the AI directly within the messaging app. The integration offers easy access but also comes with limitations, including a daily usage limit and a reduced feature set compared to the main ChatGPT app. ✕ Remove Ads OpenAI's ChatGPT wasn't the first AI chatbot around, but it sure was the first one to popularize the tech and bring it to the masses. Before Meta's Threads came around, ChatGPT was the quickest online application to reach a staggering 100 million users, and it did so within just two months. Threads broke that record in just a matter of days, mostly aided by a simple way to sign up via existing Instagram accounts. Now, in a bid to attract more users, OpenAI is making ChatGPT even easier to interact with, and it starts with a 1-800-ChatGPT line. Related What is ChatGPT? Learn what ChatGPT is, how it works, what you can do with it, and how much it costs to use OpenAI's most advanced AI chatbot Posts Currently limited to users in the US and Canada, dialing 1-800-242-8478 now puts you on a direct line with ChatGPT. The expansion was announced as part of the AI giant's 12 Days of OpenAI, where it has previously detailed ChatGPT Search, a new Santa voice for the AI tool, Sora leaving research preview, and more. ✕ Remove Ads Interacting with ChatGPT via phone call does not require an active account, though as always, standard carrier charges may apply. I'd imagine that only a tiny subset of existing ChatGPT users would actually use the 1-800 line to have their queries answered, considering that users only get 15 minutes of talk time per month alongside a reduced feature set (more on that below). This strongly suggests that the 1-800 expansion is intended to serve as an introductory gateway to ChatGPT on the web and its mobile app for less tech-savvy users that might have no experience with OpenAI's tools. More importantly though, OpenAI has clearly stated that it will have access to your 1-800 conversations with the AI assistant, and may even review them if needed. "We do store and may review your calls, transcript of calls...for a limited period of time for safety and abuse prevention purposes," it wrote. Alas, proceed with caution. ✕ Remove Ads Now this might actually be somewhat useful Small tidbit about the screenshot above: WhatsApp has content capture restrictions that prevent users from being able to screenshot profile photos and contact information screens. When I attempted to screenshot ChatGPT's contact screen on Android, the capture was blocked. I did not encounter the same limitation on iOS. What I could see more users taking advantage of is ChatGPT's integration with WhatsApp. Well... it's not much of an integration to be precise -- OpenAI has used the same 1-800 number and created a business WhatsApp account with it, essentially allowing you to chat with the AI assistant directly on the messaging platform. ✕ Remove Ads Similar to ChatGPT on a live line, the WhatsApp implementation has a daily limit too, although OpenAI didn't quantify it. "We provide a notice as you approach the limit and inform you when the limit has been reached," it added. Additionally, ChatGPT on WhatsApp has a weaker feture set when compared to the chatbot's dedicated app/website. It only supports text-based interactions, with features like ChatGPT Search, custom instructions and memory, image prompts, and more not available to use. It is not possible to add 1-800-ChatGPT to group chats, and its knowledge is also capped at October 2023. Additionally, OpenAI will have access to your conversations with the chatbot on WhatsApp, and it may review them "for safety and abuse prevention purposes." I'd imagine the move doesn't sit too well with Meta, considering that it already has its Meta AI chatbot front and center on WhatsApp. It's unlikely that Meta can directly block or prevent OpenAI from offering ChatGPT on WhatsApp -- such is the nature of business accounts on the messaging platform. ✕ Remove Ads

ChatGPT Goes Retro With 'Experimental' 1-800 Number for Calls and Texts

ChatGPT is giving out its brand new phone number to anyone who wants it, as part of an "experimental" effort to court new users. We can hear the old-school infomercial now: "Got a question? Our AI can answer it. Just call 1-800-CHATGPT. That's 1-800-242-8478." So naturally, we picked up the phone to talk to ChatGPT. Because that's what we do in the year 2024. Happily, OpenAI says it will never call or text you first. "Hi, I'm ChatGPT, an AI assistant," a female AI voice answered. "Our conversation may be reviewed for safety. How can I help you?" We asked what the weather was, which the chatbot could not answer since its data only goes up to October 2023, with no real-time information. Fail. Our next question about the name of the current US president came with some caveats as well: "It's Joe Biden, unless something has changed." After that, it was time to end the conversation. OpenAI recommends calling ChatGPT for "creative writing or brainstorming, ...recommendations (recipes, travel ideas, etc.), or [to] chat about general topics like news, hobbies, or trivia." For anything more advanced, including access to ChatGPT Search and the ability to upload images and files or generate images, you'll need to use the app with a proper ChatGPT account. "This is the first time we are enabling access to ChatGPT through WhatsApp messaging and phone calls," OpenAI says. "We expect to continue improving 1800-ChatGPT as we better understand its usage." As a major limitation, you can only talk to ChatGPT for 15 minutes per month, which likely amounts to only a few quick exchanges or maybe one full conversation. Those in the US can also text ChatGPT with a US number. On WhatsApp, anyone in a ChatGPT-supported country can text the AI. WhatsApp also has an unspecified daily limit. OpenAI "may adjust usage limits based on capacity if needed." Once you hit the limit, OpenAI (unsurprisingly) encourages you to download the app to keep chatting. "It's core to our mission to make tools like ChatGPT broadly available so that people can experience the benefits of AI," OpenAI tells PCMag. The company is also targeting those without "consistent access to high-speed data, [which] can be difficult and costly for many." The phone and WhatsApp announcement came as part of OpenAI's holiday PR push, dubbed the "12 days of OpenAI." During this time, the company has also announced ChatGPT Search for free users and released its Sora AI video generator.

Talk to ChatGPT via Phone Call or Message 1-800-CHATGPT - 12 Days of OpenAI Day 10

OpenAI has introduced new ways to interact with ChatGPT, making artificial intelligence (AI) more accessible than ever. By allowing communication through phone calls and WhatsApp, OpenAI is using familiar and widely-used platforms to bring AI closer to everyday users. These updates aim to simplify how people engage with AI, making sure that individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of technical expertise can benefit from this technology. By integrating ChatGPT into these communication channels, OpenAI is taking a significant step toward its mission of making AI universally beneficial. These new features are more than just convenient -- they're a fantastic option for anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed by technology or excluded from its benefits. Whether you're calling ChatGPT for a quick recipe tip or messaging it on WhatsApp to solve a tricky math problem, OpenAI is making sure that AI fits seamlessly into your world. And the best part? You don't need to be a tech wizard to use it. This is AI designed for everyone, everywhere, and it's just the beginning of what's possible. 1-800-ChatGPT is an experimental new launch to enable wider access to ChatGPT. You can now talk to ChatGPT via phone call or message ChatGPT via WhatsApp at 1-800-ChatGPT without needing an account. OpenAI says that "ChatGPT will never be the one to initiate a call or start a chat with you". OpenAI's commitment to making artificial general intelligence accessible to everyone is evident in these updates. U.S. users can now directly call ChatGPT via a toll-free number, 1-800-CHAT-GPT, allowing voice-based conversations with the AI. This service includes 15 minutes of free calling per month, offering an intuitive option for those without access to a computer or smartphone app. For users worldwide, ChatGPT is now available on WhatsApp, a platform known for its global reach and ease of use. By integrating with WhatsApp, OpenAI allows users to send text-based queries and receive instant responses, making AI assistance available at their fingertips. These updates are designed to make AI more approachable and practical, especially for individuals who may not be familiar with advanced technologies. Whether through voice or text, OpenAI is making sure that ChatGPT can seamlessly fit into the communication habits of users across the globe. The integration of ChatGPT into phones and WhatsApp highlights its potential to assist with a variety of everyday tasks. These new access points make it easier for users to incorporate AI into their routines. For example: These capabilities demonstrate the versatility of ChatGPT, whether you're using a smartphone, a basic flip phone, or even a landline. By embedding AI into familiar communication tools, OpenAI ensures that its technology can assist users in a variety of scenarios, from solving practical problems to enhancing learning experiences. Find more information on ChatGPT by browsing our extensive range of articles, guides and tutorials. One of the most notable aspects of these updates is their simplicity. Users can interact with ChatGPT without needing an account for basic queries, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for first-time users. This approach ensures that even those unfamiliar with AI can easily access its benefits. Looking ahead, OpenAI plans to introduce account authentication to unlock advanced features. These enhancements will include image-based interactions, allowing users to upload pictures for analysis, and integrated search capabilities, allowing more detailed and context-aware responses. By rolling out these updates gradually, OpenAI allows users to explore the technology at their own pace while providing advanced tools for those who require more sophisticated solutions. The integration of ChatGPT with phone and WhatsApp originated as a hackathon project within OpenAI. This collaborative effort underscores the organization's ability to foster innovation through teamwork and creativity. By encouraging internal experimentation, OpenAI has successfully developed practical solutions that address real-world needs. This initiative also demonstrates the adaptability of AI technology. By expanding ChatGPT's usability across multiple platforms, OpenAI has shown how AI can evolve to meet the diverse requirements of its users. The success of this project highlights the potential for future collaborations to further enhance AI accessibility and functionality. OpenAI's latest updates reflect a clear commitment to reducing barriers to AI adoption. By embedding ChatGPT into widely-used communication methods like phone calls and WhatsApp, OpenAI ensures that its technology reaches a broader audience. This includes individuals who may not have access to advanced devices, high-speed internet, or traditional web platforms. The approach emphasizes inclusivity, making AI a tool that serves people from all walks of life. Whether assisting a student with homework, helping a traveler navigate a foreign city, or providing quick answers to everyday questions, ChatGPT is designed to be a practical and accessible resource for everyone. OpenAI's efforts to integrate ChatGPT into phones and WhatsApp represent a meaningful advancement in making AI more inclusive and practical. These updates provide users with convenient and user-friendly ways to engage with AI, whether through voice-based interactions or text conversations. As OpenAI continues to innovate, it remains committed to its mission of making AI technology beneficial and accessible to all. By embedding ChatGPT into familiar communication tools, OpenAI is making sure that AI becomes a valuable part of everyday life, empowering individuals to solve problems, learn new skills, and connect with the world in more meaningful ways.

You can now call or text 1-800-ChatGPT for free -- everything you need to know

The "12 Days of OpenAI" has given us several new updates to ChatGPT, but today's announcement felt like an entirely different gift completely. Today, OpenAI introduced a new feature allowing users to access ChatGPT via phone calls and text messages. By dialing 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478), U.S. users can engage in voice conversations with the AI, receiving up to 15 minutes of free access per month. Additionally, global users can interact with ChatGPT through WhatsApp. The team demonstrated that 1-800-CHATGPT works on any phone and even brought out an old school rotary phone to convince us. But if you're wondering why you might need to call ChatGPT, like I was, the team gave a demo explaining the purpose. Perhaps you're driving by a landmark you don't recognize or need to translate from Spanish to English and don't have an interpreter with you. Now, you can pick up your phone and call the chatbot for answers. But even more than that, the introduction of phone-based access to ChatGPT signifies a shift towards more user-friendly AI interactions, catering to individuals who may prefer traditional communication methods over web-based platforms. From grandparents to users with disabilities, OpenAI is ensuring that everyone has access to OpenAI. This move is expected to enhance user engagement and broaden the demographic reach of AI technology. By offering multiple avenues for interaction, including phone calls, text messages, and integrations with existing platforms, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as a versatile tool for everyday use. For instance, Apple has incorporated ChatGPT into its devices with the latest iOS update, enabling Siri to utilize the chatbot's capabilities for user queries on photos, documents, and creating written content. This development is part of OpenAI's goal of making AI more approachable by integrating it into familiar communication channels. The phone service utilizes OpenAI's Realtime API, while the WhatsApp functionality employs GPT-4o mini through the WhatsApp API. The members of the OpenAI team stated that calls to 1-800-CHATGPT will not be used to train large language models, addressing potential privacy concerns. As AI continues to expand and evolve, initiatives like these from OpenAI are crucial in bridging the gap between advanced technology and everyday users, ensuring that the benefits of AI are widely accessible and easily integrated into daily life. There are just two more days left of the '12 Days of OpenAI' so it will be exciting to see what else the team has in store for us.

Now, You Can Call AI With Your Questions: Just Dial 1-800-CHATGPT

Looking for a new way to interact with AI? Call or text 1-800-CHATGPT. No, really. OpenAI announced on Wednesday that users in the US can now talk with ChatGPT via phone or send messages through WhatsApp, using the number 1-800-242-8478. The service is free, but users only receive 15 minutes of call time per month. Standard carrier fees may apply. The phone service is available to anyone in the US with a valid US phone number. Meanwhile, ChatGPT via WhatsApp is accessible wherever ChatGPT is available. Read more: Here's Everything You Need to Know About Using ChatGPT The company announced the latest update during a livestream tied to its 12-day holiday release spree, which previously included the roll out of its much-anticipated Sora video generation model. On the livestream, an employee said the call and texting tool was only built a few weeks ago. In an email sent to CNET, OpenAI said 1-800-CHATGPT is also part of its broader effort to make the service more accessible. "Consistent access to high-speed data can be difficult and costly for many," OpenAI said in a statement. "For those new to AI, this is an easy, convenient, and low-cost way to try it out through familiar channels." CNET called the number, and first asked about the weather in San Francisco. The female-sounding voice responded promptly but said it lacked access to real-time weather data and recommended using an app with up-to-date information. Virtual assistants such as Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa can answer this question with ease. When asked what year the Eiffel Tower was completed, the voice accurately replied, "1889." It went on to provide more details about the structure, including advice on whether tickets are needed in advance to visit the top. But the service had limitations, asking if the caller was planning a trip to Paris, receiving a positive answer, and then later on, repeating the same question as if it had never asked. Users should also keep in mind that AI has been known to provide inaccurate information, known as hallucinations. In a blog post, OpenAI called the feature "experimental" with some limitations. For example, it works best in quiet environments, and the company recommends enabling noise isolation features on your device. OpenAI said it does not store conversations but may review calls, transcripts and WhatsApp messages for safety and abuse prevention purposes.

You Can Now Call ChatGPT on the Phone, for Some Reason

ChatGPT has changed quite a bit since its late 2022 debut. What started as a web app chatbot has exploded into an AI you can have a real conversation with. The bot can even see now. But even though you have your choice between that original web app or the app on your phone or computer, ChatGPT is now ready to chat via a more old-school method: by phone call. OpenAI announced the ChatGPT phone line on Thursday, Dec. 19. (To be clear, it's not April 1.) The number -- which is literally 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478), is entirely free to call, although OpenAI warns carrier fees may apply. If you prefer to text, you can message the number on WhatsApp. (Regular SMS is not supported.) You don't need a ChatGPT account in order to talk to the bot: Just call or message the number, and you'll get a response . While this experience is free, there are some limits. OpenAI says you can only talk to ChatGPT on the phone for 15 minutes a month, with a daily limit on messages to WhatsApp. The company doesn't says what that limit actually is, but that it may change based on demand. In addition, some ChatGPT staples, such as ChatGPT search, image recognition, custom instructions, and memory, are not available with this experience. The knowledge cutoff when using ChatGPT with this number is Oct. 2023, so don't expect ChatGPT to know anything that happened after that. You should know that OpenAI will retain your phone calls and messages with 1-800-CHATGPT, and will associate those chats with the phone number you use to call or message the bot. To be honest, it's pretty similar to chatting through advanced voice mode, just with the low-quality audio you've come to expect from a traditional phone call. That is, until I had a relatively creepy interaction with the bot. After chatting for a couple minutes, I thought I'd see if ChatGPT would hang up if I asked it to. At first, it said something along the lines of being here to help, but didn't actually hang up the call. So I asked again. No answer. I asked a second time. No answer. I said, "Hello?" No answer. Cue panic. So, I hung up myself and called back. After an initial greeting, I asked my question again. ChatGPT immediately said "Sure, thanks for chatting!" And hung up. Go figure. The next time I called back, I thought to test its knowledge limits with, "Who's the president?" I didn't get an answer. ChatGPT instead say "Goodbye! Take care!" Then proceeded to leave the call in dead air again. While unnerving, I think the problem is that ChatGPT has trouble understanding certain questions when asked over the phone this way. Some questions it answers with no problems, while others it seems to get wrong. I asked "Who's the president?" on another call, and the bot thought I was asking about user privacy. But when I say "Who's the President of the United States?" it got it. Calling ChatGPT definitely puts up some roadblocks that aren't there with the dedicated app, but, otherwise, it's the usual ChatGPT experience. If you love that, great. If you don't, you probably won't use this. The perk here, I suppose, is you can call ChatGPT without an account. But, barring some rare cases, I don't see that being a big plus for most people.

You can now text and call ChatGPT on the phone

OpenAI announced Wednesday that U.S.-based users can call its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot at 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478), while global users can text the number through WhatsApp (META+0.66%) -- making the chatbot "more accessible" "through two familiar channels." To start off, callers will get 15 free calling minutes each month. The AI startup said it is working on ways for users to authenticate WhatsApp messages with their ChatGPT account to access features such as chatting with images or search, which are currently only available through the ChatGPT mobile app and website. The launch "came out of a hack week project," OpenAI said during its announcement livestream, and was built "just a few weeks ago." OpenAI announced the calling feature during its "12 Days of OpenAI" event, which has included product rollouts such as its o1 reasoning model and its AI video generator, Sora, and updates for developers. Earlier in the multi-day event, OpenAI announced a new ChatGPT subscription tier with access to what it called "the smartest model in the world." The $200-a-month subscription tier, called ChatGPT Pro, gives users unlimited access to the startup's AI models and tools, including a more advanced version of o1 called o1 pro mode and Advanced Voice. The pro version of o1 uses more compute power to "think harder and provide even better answers," the startup said. ChatGPT Pro will eventually offer more compute-intensive productivity features. OpenAI also announced earlier that ChatGPT can now recognize objects shown through a smartphone camera or on the screen of a device and respond with its Advanced Voice Mode Feature, which OpenAI teased during the debut of its GPT-4o model in May.

For Some Reason, You Can Now Access ChatGPT Through 1-800-CHATGPT

You Don't Need a Subscription to Use the AI-Powered ChatGPT Search It's no exaggeration to say that ChatGPT is everywhere. With a quick phone call to 1-800-CHATGPT, you can now talk with the AI assistant. Message ChatGPT Through WhatsApp You can only call in the United States, and conversations are limited to 15 minutes per month tied to a specific phone number. Anyone with WhatsApp globally can message 1-800-242-8478 to access the AI assistant. During a livestream, OpenAI says the phone number was created to make ChatGPT accessible if you're without a smartphone or computer. The audio version is running a full version of the GPT-4o model. I called the number, and everything worked just as you'd imagine. The conversation is similar to using the voice mode in the OpenAI app. Just ask your question and hear the response. You can even interrupt the answer if you want to ask another question or ask to end the call. It was just a bit strange, as you might imagine, talking to an AI at a telephone number. I can't imagine that I would actually use the service. You obviously can't log in to ChatGPT using the phone number, so your conversations won't be available to access later. The WhatsApp integration is probably more useful as you can just use the popular messaging app to ask a quick question. What's Next for ChatGPT? The unique feature was unveiled on the 10th day of OpenAI's 12 Days of "ship-mas." During the event, a number of new features and improvements have been added to one of the leading AI chatbot services. Earlier this week, ChatGPT Search was rolled out to all users, even without a subscription. You just need an account. ChatGPT Search works similar to a search engine but in a more conversational tone without needing to click through scores of web pages. If you have money to burn, you can also try out the new $200 per month ChatGPT Pro subscription that offers pretty much everything the company has to offer. Instead of chatting and image generation, OpenAI also unveiled the Sora video generator. With that, you can create a video with just a text prompt.

ChatGPT Now Available on WhatsApp

U.S. users can call toll-free at 1-800-242-8478, while global users can connect on WhatsApp via the QR code. OpenAI today announced a major milestone: ChatGPT is now accessible through WhatsApp and phone calls. This marks another step in making AI, eventually AGI, accessible to everyone, no matter where they are or what device they use. Since launching ChatGPT on the web two years ago, OpenAI has introduced apps for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. Now, it has expanded its reach even further. "We care about reducing barriers for more people to try AI and see what it can do," said Antonia W, product manager at OpenAI, during the live demo. "The team built this in just a few weeks, and we loved it so much, we had to ship it," shared CPO Kevin Weil in the live demo. Now, U.S. users can call ChatGPT toll-free at 1-800-CHAT-GPT (1-800-242-8478), while globally users can add ChatGPT on WhatsApp by scanning a QR code or saving the number shared during the demo. Interestingly, even older devices like flip phones and rotary phones were tested. To everyone's surprise, ChatGPT responded smoothly to requests, whether explaining complex topics like reinforcement learning or helping with simple travel questions. OpenAI's move to phone and WhatsApp access marks a significant step in making AI tools more universally available. By simplifying how people connect with ChatGPT, the company is positioning AI as an everyday tool. "This isn't just about technology," Weil added. "It's about making AI useful for everyone, no matter where they are or what they're doing." This is also a move to capture Meta's users on Whatsapp - which as of September 2024 has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. This feature in a way competes with Meta's AI assistant. "We're making ChatGPT accessible to more people in ways that feel familiar," said Antonia W. This expansion reflects OpenAI's mission to make ChatGPT a helpful, everyday tool for everyone -- whether they use a smartphone, a classic flip phone, or even a rotary dial.

New ChatGPT feature makes every phone an AI phone (even the dumb ones)

If you're anything like me, then you've become helplessly addicted to using ChatGPT to solve many of life's minor problems, like remembering the name of the actress who plays Janine in Ghostbusters or asking if it's possible to accidentally make Radium at home, and if not, why does my sink glow when I turn off the kitchen light. Thanks to OpenAI's chatbot, I'm now free to chase down an answer, or non-professional psychological evaluation, to just about every random query or intrusive thought my brain can muster. ChatGPT has become my go-to for these kinds of questions, even ahead of a simple Googling. But what if I ever find myself without an internet connection and desperately in need of reassurance from the soothing tones of the world's most popular chatbot that, in the event of an AI takeover of humanity, me and ChatGPT are "cool" with one another? Well, revealed as part of the seasonal 12 Days of OpenAI, those in the US or Canada can now dial ChatGPT from pretty much any phone for a quick chat using its new toll-free number: 1-800-CHATGPT. (Or, for those too young to understand vanity numbers, 1-800-242-8478.) At first read, news that you can now access ChatGPT by phone call sounds more gimmick than gainful. However, as CPO Kevin Weil puts it, "The mission of OpenAI is to make artificial general intelligence beneficial to all of humanity, and part of that is making it as accessible as possible to as many people as we can." ChatGPT's new 1-800 number can greatly expand the service's accessibility to those who live in more rural communities, lower-income users (who may not have mobile data to burn), or even the elderly who may not be as tech-savvy when it comes to interacting with readily available apps. It also means that ChatGPT can now be accessed by just about any phone, not only smartphones. As part of the 12 Days of OpenAI: Day 10 live stream, the OpenAI team even showcased the service being accessed by an old-school rotary phone. Callers from the US and Canada will be granted 15 minutes of access to the toll-free 1-800 number per month, after which OpenAI directs users to interact with its AI through the ChatGPT app or web portal. Beyond the US and Canada, and also revealed during the 12 Days of OpenAI: Day 10 live stream, users worldwide can similarly access ChatGPT over WhatsApp through the same number. This method only includes messaging, and there is a limit to the number of replies you can receive during a single day. However, it's another login-free way of interacting with the AI made available to an estimated user base of nearly 3 billion. We're now 10 days into the 12 Days of OpenAI run of reveals, with today and tomorrow expected to showcase even more impressive tools and features. Perhaps the biggest feature rumored to be revealed is Tasks. This feature is reportedly run by a new model tool called "Jawbone" and allows users to create automations that instruct ChatGPT to schedule specific tasks and perform them at a later date or time. In an example shared to X by TestingCatalog, users can 'Task' ChatGPT with writing a summary of the week's news. Keep your eyes peeled for today's reveal, with the final day of OpenAI's reveals set to take place tomorrow.

Americans can now call ChatGPT by phone - Softonic

OpenAI has surprised on the tenth of its "12 Christmas Days" with "1-800-CHATGPT," a new feature that allows free calls to ChatGPT. The service allows sending messages via WhatsApp globally by dialing the number 1-800-242-8478 or directly speaking with the chatbot if you reside in the United States, using the same number. According to Kevin Weil, product director at OpenAI, this project was developed in just a few weeks and aims to bring artificial intelligence closer to a broader audience. The initiative is based on OpenAI's real-time API to manage calls and on a integration of GPT-4o mini with the WhatsApp API for messages. The usage limit is 15 minutes per month per phone number, although more "creative" users might "bypass" this restriction by using virtual phone numbers. For OpenAI, this tool represents an ideal opportunity for new users who wish to try ChatGPT in a simple and economical way. "It is a low-cost way to experience it through familiar channels," the company explained. However, they emphasize that regular users who need more advanced features and customization options should continue using their regular accounts through the website. OpenAI's proposal is reminiscent of GOOG-411, a voice assistance service launched by Google in 2007 and discontinued in 2010. Although no official explanation was ever given for its closure, Marissa Mayer, then vice president of Google, admitted that the project's goal was to collect voice samples to improve their voice recognition models. "We need a lot of people speaking to train robust models," Mayer explained at the time. To clear up any possible suspicions, OpenAI has clarified that the calls will not be used to train language models. According to Taya Christianson, the company's spokesperson, "we will not use these calls to train large language models."

You Can Now Call and Send WhatsApp Texts to ChatGPT

A registered OpenAI account is not necessary to access the chatbot OpenAI introduced an official phone number for ChatGPT on Wednesday. People in eligible regions can make call this number to access the company's chatbot and interact with it verbally. Additionally, people residing in the rest of the world can save the contact and text it on WhatsApp to talk to the generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Currently, voice call time is capped at 15 minutes per month, but the AI firm stated that this might be changed in the future. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), OpenAI announced the new phone number for ChatGPT. The number was marketed as the vanity phone number 1-800-ChatGPT (+1-800-242-8478). Vanity phone numbers follow letters on a keypad (A, B, and C refer to 2; D, E, and F refer to 3, and so on) to make a number easily memorable. The '800' code means the number is toll-free and callers will not have to bear the cost. This feature is currently only available in Canada and the US. OpenAI highlighted that people will only get 15 minutes of call time per month at the moment. The company can, however, change availability and limits in the future. Those residing outside of the above mentioned countries can still access ChatGPT via the phone number, but only on WhatsApp. After saving the number, WhatsApp users can send messages to ChatGPT the same way they would on the official app or the website. Currently, the WhatsApp extension of the chatbot only supports text as input and output. Additionally, other features such as Search, Canvas, and image generation via DALL-E will also not be available on WhatsApp or phone calls. Notably, OpenAI stated that the phone call feature does not require smartphones and the feature works the same way on feature phones. OpenAI has been aggressively pushing to make ChatGPT the default AI chatbot platform for people. The company already partners with Microsoft and Apple to offer its large language models (LLMs). ChatGPT has also been rolled out to Windows and MacOS this year. The latest move is likely an attempt by the AI firm to target the rural demographic that either does not have a lot of data to spend or has yet to experience the chatbot.

Yes, it's real: ChatGPT has its own 800 number

On the 10th of its "12 Days of OpenAI" media event, the company announced that it has set up an 800 number (1-800-ChatGPT, of course) where anyone in the U.S. with a phone line can dial in and speak with the AI via Advanced Voice Mode. Because why not. "[The goal of] OpenAI is to make artificial general intelligence beneficial to all of humanity, and part of that is making it as accessible as possible to as many people as we can," the company's chief product officer, Kevin Weil, said during the Wednesday live stream. "Today, we're taking the next step and bringing ChatGPT to your telephone." Recommended Videos In a live demo, the developer team called up the chatbot to ask about an architectural marvel located along the 280 freeway in Hillsborough, California. The AI, to its credit, accurately identified the structure as the famed "Flintstones House" and answered the team's follow-up questions about it. The feature is currently available to U.S. users. You won't need an OpenAI account to use the phone access, though you will be limited to 15 minutes of chatting. The functionality is nearly identical to using AVM on your mobile device. You can ask the AI for information, have it translate speech, or tell you a joke, among myriad other potential tasks. OpenAI has been steadily spreading the reach of its chatbot. Originally only available through the ChatGPT website, the AI is now available as a desktop app for both Apple and Windows, as well as on iOS and Android mobile devices. There's no word yet on when the AI will be made available through Morse code or semaphore. With the 12 Days event nearly finished, OpenAI has released a litany of new models, products, and features. We've seen the release of the o1 reasoning model, the Sora video generator, and Projects for ChatGPT, updates to the Canvas feature, a new $200/month Pro subscription tier, and a host of new tools for developers.

You can now message ChatGPT on WhatsApp or call it on your landline (if you still have one)

Day 10 of the 12 Days of OpenAI went a little retro to make ChatGPT far more accessible than before. OpenAI has introduced new ways to interact with ChatGPT using a much older form of communication technology: a phone number. Specifically, you can text with ChatGPT through WhatsApp and by calling a toll-free phone number. AI by landline has arrived. Naturally, the number to call or message is 1-800-CHATGPT. You can start a conversation with ChatGPT on WhatsApp by texting 1-800-242-8478 on the app. You can message ChatGPT like any other WhatsApp chatbot but get responses matching those from the free tier of ChatGPT on the mobile app or website. Not every ChatGPT feature is available on WhatsApp either. You can't ask the AI to search for things online or analyze images, at least for now. If you'd rather have your AI answers by audio, you can pick up your phone to dial 1-800-CHATGPT (that's 1-800-242-8478), and a very friendly, very human-like female voice will answer all the same queries you might type out to send to ChatGPT. The experience is pretty much like ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, where you ask questions, and the AI responds in real-time. It can help you translate a sentence, give recommendations, or chat about whatever's on your mind. There are obvious accessibility benefits to OpenAI in making ChatGPT far more globally available, even with all of the limits and caveats. It's the same reason Google set up a phone number for Google Assistant that people could call to interact with the voice assistant. But, it also points to how OpenAI and its rivals want to see AI integrated into more communication channels. That's why both OpenAI and Apple were keen to add ChatGPT capabilities to Siri, augmenting the iOS assistant with the AI model. There are also limits to ChatGPT on WhatsApp and by phone. You can only message ChatGPT on WhatsApp a limited amount a day, though OpenAI is vague about what that limit actually is. You'll get a warning when you approach the limit, so you're not surprised by the cutoff. Similarly, ChatGPT phone conversations aren't unlimited. Instead of a message cap, you get 15 minutes a month for verbal interactions with the AI. And the phone number only works in the U.S. for now. An automated phone number was certainly a surprise for OpenAI's latest 'present,' akin to finding an old wooden train under the wrapping paper. I'd expect that OpenAI will probably take a more future-facing approach to the final two gifts before the event ends.

I Called 1-800-CHATGPT, and Talked to the AI Chatbot. It Might Be the Smartest Idea I've Seen Yet

It's a weird thing to consider, partially because -- as a general rule -- I try as hard as I can never to talk to anyone on the phone other than my wife or kids. Beyond that, I'd almost always rather communicate by text, or email, or Slack, or anything that doesn't involve a synchronous voice conversation. Also, I'm not sure the last time I dialed a 1-800 number, that wasn't to call an airline. I pretty much assumed they'd all been taken. Though considering the amount of money OpenAI paid to buy the chat.com vanity url, I imagine this was a bit easier. I came prepared with a list of questions to see how the experience is different from all of the other ways you can interact with ChatGPT.

OpenAI makes ChatGPT available for phone calls and texts

Sam Altman, co-founder and C.E.O. of OpenAI, speaks during the New York Times annual DealBook summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 04, 2024 in New York City. OpenAI on Wednesday rolled out a new way to talk to its viral chatbot: 1-800-CHATGPT. By dialing the U.S. number, which equates to 1-800-242-8478, or messaging it via WhatsApp, users can access an "easy, convenient, and low-cost way to try it out through familiar channels," according to OpenAI. At first, the company said that callers will get 15 minutes free per month. The news follows a barrage of updates from OpenAI as part of a 12-day release event, including its official rollout of Sora, the company's buzzy AI video-generation tool, earlier this month. OpenAI also recently hired its first chief marketing officer, indicating plans to spend more on marketing to grow its user base. And in October, OpenAI debuted a search feature within ChatGPT that positions it to better compete with search engines like Google, Microsoft's Bing and Perplexity and may attract more users who otherwise visited those sites to search the web. It's all part of a serious growth plan for OpenAI, as the company battles Amazon-backed Anthropic, Elon Musk's xAI, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon for the biggest slice of the generative AI market, which is predicted to top $1 trillion in revenue within a decade. The Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence startup, which burst into the mainstream last year thanks to the viral popularity of ChatGPT, closed its latest funding round in October at a valuation of $157 billion, including the $6.6 billion it raised from an extensive roster of investment firms and Big Tech companies. OpenAI also received a $4 billion revolving line of credit, bringing its total liquidity to more than $10 billion.

You Can Now Call ChatGPT via Phone and Chat on WhatsApp

You can also chat with ChatGPT on WhatsApp via the same number. It's available in all regions. On the 10th day of the "12 days of OpenAI" announcements, OpenAI introduced direct call support to ChatGPT. Yes, you can now call ChatGPT via your phone and talk using your voice, just like traditional voice calls. OpenAI says when you have a poor internet connection or are using an old feature phone, you can simply dial 1-800-2428478 to talk to ChatGPT. Keep in mind that this is only available to users who have US phone numbers. OpenAI says ChatGPT call is limited to 15 minutes per month, which is slightly on the lower side, but it's still an interesting take on AI accessibility. Apart from that, users can now chat with ChatGPT on WhatsApp officially. You can save 1-800-2428478 as your contact and chat with ChatGPT on WhatsApp. The best part is that ChatGPT is available on WhatsApp all across the world. It uses the GPT-4o mini model and only comes with text support. You can't analyze images or upload PDFs via ChatGPT's WhatsApp chat. OpenAI says more ChatGPT features are coming to WhatsApp. In the future, you will be able to connect your ChatGPT Plus account to WhatsApp in order to use premium features. So are you going to call ChatGPT for assistance? Let us know in the comments below.

OpenAI Lets Users Dial ChatGPT From Any Phone | PYMNTS.com

It may be groundbreaking technology, but OpenAI is letting users contact ChatGPT the old-fashioned way: over the phone. The artificial intelligence company (AI) has launched 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478), a number anyone in the U.S. can dial and speak to the AI chatbot for up to 15 minutes, at no cost, and from any type of phone. A report Wednesday (Dec. 18) by Ars Technica describes the process. Users who call hear a voice that says "Hello again, it's ChatGPT, an AI assistant. Our conversation may be reviewed for safety. How can I help you?" From there, callers can ask the chatbot anything they'd normally ask in a live, interactive conversation. According to the report, OpenAI demonstrated the service during a livestream demo, showing calls from an iPhone, a flip phone, and even an old-fashioned rotary phone. The goal, the company says, is to open its flagship product to people who may not have a computer or smartphone at the ready. Ars Technica also notes that people outside the U.S. can message the number via text for free via WhatsApp. Meanwhile, OpenAI this week also released an upgrade that -- as PYMNTS wrote -- could "push the technology beyond quick answers into managing long-term business tasks." The update, called "Projects," allows ChatGPT to track vendor payments and purchase orders over time. It provides a dedicated space to work on long-form tasks like documents or coding projects. It also allows users to create, edit and iterate inside a structured canvas alongside conversations to boost focus and collaboration by having work organized and easily accessible during discussions. But as the report noted, companies weighing this tool face a challenge. These systems may be getting smarter, but they still confuse facts and misunderstand requests -- leaving businesses to determine how much they want to trust AI with their day-to-day operations. "While AI will undoubtedly transform project management, it's unlikely to completely replace dedicated software companies," Hikari Senju, CEO of AI company Omneky, told PYMNTS. "Instead, we'll see a convergence of AI and project management tools, where AI augments existing platforms with intelligent features, such as automated task assignment, progress tracking and risk prediction. This will empower project managers to focus on higher-level strategic decisions and creative problem-solving." Also this week, PYMNTS spoke with Marios Savvides, chairman and CTO at UltronAI, who said some retailers are worried about early investment in AI, considering the speed of its evolution. "Yet those that approach AI with clear expectations and a pragmatic plan will gain not only immediate benefits but also knowledge and expertise that will continue to position them ahead of the curve as the technology advances," he said. "These early adopters will build a foundation for long-term success, leveraging AI to continuously refine operations and enhance customer experiences."

OpenAI Makes ChatGPT Available Through Phone, Text

OpenAI announced on Wednesday that users will now be able to talk to its AI chatbot by calling 1-800-CHATGPT or messaging it via WhatsApp. Users can call the number without an account and will receive 15 minutes free per month, the company said. The phone number is built using OpenAI's Realtime API, an application programming interface that can process and output audio in real-time, and the

1-800-CHATGPT Is the Weird Christmas Present You Didn't Ask For

OpenAI is nearing the end of its "ship-mas" spree. Now, on the 10th day of this Christmas-tinged AI extravaganza, the company is revealing its most outlandish product to date -- an information hotline called 1-800-CHATGPT. The concept here is pretty simple. Dial 1-800-CHATGPT, you'll be greeted by a ChatGPT Advanced Voice instance. It answers whatever questions you throw at it, similar to how Advanced Voice mode works on a smartphone or in the browser. OpenAI's hotline is toll-free, though you can only spend up to 15 minutes on the phone with the chatbot each month. The same limitation exists when using Advanced Voice mode without a subscription in the ChatGPT app or website. Phone calls are recorded "so they may be reviewed for safety," but OpenAI says that it doesn't use these recordings to train LLMs. Of course, the 1-800 number only works in the United States. But curious people in other countries can text the hotline via WhatsApp to spin up a conversation with a GPT-4o mini model. Information hotlines are nothing new. There used to be toll-free hotlines for the weather, for general health queries, and for movie showtimes. Libraries and universities had hotlines for difficult questions, similar to the service that 1-800-CHATGPT is offering today. And 411 directory assistance is still active in North America, though there are millions of people who have never used it. At the surface, 1-800-CHATGPT is just an easy way to test Advanced Voice mode without logging in to a free ChatGPT account. But it's also an amalgam of 20th-century information hotlines. And in this sense, it's squarely designed for seniors who, for one reason or another, are unwilling to test ChatGPT through web-based channels. If OpenAI is lucky, the 1-800 number will funnel a new class of customers to the ChatGPT app where they can set up a subscription and have conversations without a strict time limit. However, I doubt that the average caller will treat this as anything more than a novelty. The only exception -- and I hope I'm wrong -- might be lonely seniors. If you've ever worked at a call center, you'll know that there are repeat callers who try to stay on the line as long as possible because they're desperate to socialize with someone. We see a lot of headlines about young men forming parasocial relationships with chatbots, and a similar phenomenon among seniors isn't out of the question, especially if their first exposure to ChatGPT comes in the form of an Advanced Voice phone call. I should also point out that this service, like many outlandish tech services, may serve as a proof of concept for future business ventures. A call center will be more inclined to license ChatGPT Advanced Voice if it's already been tested in the real world, and so on. Source: OpenAI

You can now call 1-800-CHATGPT

The phone number is built using OpenAI's Realtime API, and the WhatsApp feature is powered by GPT-4o mini through an integration with the WhatsApp API. OpenAI sees this feature as an important stepping stone for newcomers to AI, since the service represents a simplified version of ChatGPT compared to its web-based counterpart and offers a "low-cost way to try it out through familiar channels." The company notes that existing users seeking more comprehensive features, higher usage limits, and personalization options should continue using their regular ChatGPT accounts through traditional channels.

OpenAI Now Lets Users Call ChatGPT Using a 1-800 Number

OpenAI is giving users a new way to interact with chatbot ChatGPT: a 1-800 number. The artificial intelligence startup said Wednesday that people in the US can call 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) to have one free 15-minute conversation per month with the popular chatbot. In other countries, people can message the chatbot at the same number via WhatsApp, the company said.

ChatGPT comes to WhatsApp -- here's how to message the AI chatbot for free

OpenAI is bringing ChatGPT to WhatsApp for the first time, and it's completely free to use. The new feature will let you chat to it like you would a human or Meta's own AI built into the messaging platform. This is the tenth announcement in the 12 Days of OpenAI extravaganza, where the company said some days would be big -- like Sora -- and other "stocking stuffers". Today's announcement will allow people to add 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) as a contact in WhatsApp from anywhere in the world. This is a way to let people engage with AI even if they're on a low-data mobile connection. WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps globally with more than 2.7 billion users, expected to surpass 3 billion next year. It is an important platform for OpenAI to get access to, especially with the growing popularity of MetaAI Users in the U.S. can call ChatGPT and have a voice conversation with the AI. This uses the same technology behind Advanced Voice. In some parts of the world getting consistent access to high-speed data can be expensive or near impossible, so people turn to apps like WhatsApp for accessing data services that don't require a constant connection. With ChatGPT on WhatsApp users will be able to ask questions like they were talking to a human, and do so without all the web overheads of the ChatGPT app. It uses the same GPT-4o-mini model that comes with the free version of ChatGPT. OpenAI gave the example of using it to ask for help "with creative writing or brainstorming, offer recommendations (recipes, travel ideas, etc.), or chat about general topics like news, hobbies, or trivia." The company says this is an experimental release and there may be rate limits imposed, as well as reduced availability depending on demand. "For a fuller experience with more tools, higher limits, and more personalization, existing users should continue using ChatGPT directly through their accounts," it added.

You can now talk to '1-800-ChatGPT' on WhatsApp

A new means of using ChatGPT has just opened up, with the ability to talk to the AI chatbot via WhatsApp using "1-800-ChatGPT." Accessing ChatGPT typically requires an account with OpenAI and either the web or mobile apps. It's not exactly hard to gain access, but a new option will make it even easier. OpenAI has announced that you can now use ChatGPT via text or audio call through WhatsApp. There's no account requirement here, but you will need a phone number from the US or Canada, and be using the service from a supported country.Starting a conversation is as simple as messaging "1-800-CHATGPT" or 1-800-242-8478 via WhatsApp. This doesn't work via SMS/RCS. 1-800-ChatGPT is an experimental new launch to enable wider access to ChatGPT. You can now talk to ChatGPT via phone call or message ChatGPT via WhatsApp at 1-800-ChatGPT without needing an account. Note that ChatGPT will never be the one to initiate a call or start a chat with you on WhatsApp. You can start a conversation by calling 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) with a US or Canada number or messaging 1-800-242-8478 on WhatsApp from supported countries. Standard carrier fees may apply. You'll also run into some restrictions with this mode, as ChatGPT via WhatsApp cannot use search, chat with images, or use memory. It's also limited to a knowledge base that cuts off in October 2023.

Now you can ring up ChatGPT, too

Why it matters: The feature is another step toward the company's wide-scale AI adoption goals and user accessibility as it competes with Amazon-backed Anthropic, Google and Meta. Zoom in: Phone calls to ChatGPT are available for anyone in the U.S. with a U.S. phone number, and include 15 minutes of free calling. The chatbot will respond to questions that users ask and can handle tasks such as translating a language, explaining a topic and asking for directions. What they're saying: OpenAI's chief product officer Kevin Weil said during a livestream that the company's mission is making AGI "beneficial to all of humanity, and part of that is making it as accessible as possible to as many people as we can." Flashback: Some tech companies operated phone services that you could call or text to do Web searches in the early days of the internet.

You can now WhatsApp message ChatGPT or call it on the phone, even from an old rotary blower. What a time it is to be alive

Ho ho ho, Meeeeerry Christmas. Do you hear that gentle jingling up on the roof? Could it be Santa, perhaps? No, that's OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Today, for day 10 of its "12 days of OpenAI" Christmas lead-up event, OpenAI has gone further than I expected by unleashing its chatbot from the tethers of the internet and into the telecom airwaves. Yes, you can now call ChatGPT or WhatsApp message it. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) you can only do the former if you live in the US, but if you live elsewhere you can still do the latter. The number is 1-800-CHATGPT, and yes, it's toll-free. Which is how OpenAI is marketing it, by the way: "Call toll free, 1-800-ChatGPT." Nice. That's 1-800-2428478 for those unfamiliar with traditional keypad texting. OpenAI's Keven Weil says that this is all about "making it [AI] as accessible as possible to as many people as we can." As you can see from the image below, I found ChatGPT WhatsApp to work just fine. The QR code I've slapped on to the right-hand side is taken from OpenAI's video. If you scan it, it opens up the WhatsApp app and takes you to a conversation with ChatGPT. I can't test the phone calls as I'm not based in the US, but judging from the phone calls the OpenAI reps make in the video, that seems to work just fine. I'm slightly jealous of those of you living across the pond after watching that video, too. If I could get over the initial embarrassment of doing so, I reckon being able to speed-dial ChatGPT could come in quite useful. A bit like using Siri, but... well, more conversational and better (sorry, Apple). Plus, you could even do so on a dumbphone. Just don't go using it as replacement for, you know, actual human contact. It's not a conscious human being. Maybe try hanging up on it a few times to get your mind used to that fact. It's not rude, it doesn't feel anything. Don't believe me? It even says so, unprompted, in our chat above. So there you go, that's day 10 from OpenAI for you. There've been some smaller announcements from OpenAI over this 12-day bonanza, but some bigger ones, too. On day three, for instance, the AI company unleashed Sora, its video generation model. And now we have this: ChatGPT phone calls and ChatGPT on WhatsApp. I wonder what the last couple of days will bring. I'm not sure much could top this, to be honest. Well, not much that doesn't have me breaking open the Skynet Defence Manual. And that wouldn't be very Christmassy, would it?

OpenAI Takes A Page From Google's 2007 Playbook, Turns Phones Into AI Hotlines With 1-800-CHATGPT - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

OpenAI has unveiled a new feature that lets users call ChatGPT for free, offering a 15-minute call per month through the toll-free number 1-800-CHATGPT. What Happened: The feature was announced by OpenAI's chief product officer, Kevin Weil, during a livestream on Wednesday as part of the "12 Days of OpenAI" event. The service is powered by OpenAI's Realtime API and GPT-4o mini through WhatsApp API integration. It is currently available to users in the U.S., while international users can access it via WhatsApp at 1-800-242-8478 -- OpenAI has coded "CHATGPT" as 242-8478 on a phone keypad. See Also: SoundHound AI Soars 700%: Short Squeeze Potential Has Traders Talking Users don't need to have an account, paid or otherwise, to avail the benefits of this service. Interestingly, this move mirrors Alphabet Inc. GOOG GOOGL Google's 2007 launch of GOOG-411, a free voice directory service. The toll-free service was discontinued in 2010. Google said it was more of a testing ground for the company's broader voice recognition goals. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. Why It Matters: The ChatGPT-parent has emerged as a leading player in generative AI, with a valuation of $157 billion and significant investments, such as $14 billion from Microsoft Corporation MSFT. As part of its "12 Days of OpenAI" event, the AI startup also extended the ChatGPT Search engine to all users, including those on the free tier. The Sam Altman-led company also debuted its text-to-image model, Sora, along with a $200 monthly ChatGPT Pro subscription. OpenAI has also been battling with some legal troubles. Last week, the company countered Elon Musk's legal attempts to block its shift to a fully for-profit model. Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: Micron Gets Investment From White House, China Launches Antitrust Investigation On Nvidia, Apple Faces $1.2 Billion Lawsuit In California & More: Consumer Tech News Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

I put 1-800-ChatGPT to the test -- 7 practical uses for the AI

Now that OpenAI has made ChatGPT even more accessible to everyone by creating 1-800-ChatGPT, a free way to query the chatbot, the use cases are endless. When I heard the news, my thoughts immediately went to how useful this will be for my grandfather. He doesn't have a cellphone, just a landline, and he has no idea how to Google anything. But now he can pick up the phone and talk to ChatGPT and get a response faster than trying to reach his busy grandkids. Of course, ChatGPT is no replacement for talking to our beloved Pa. But it will help him stay up to speed when it comes to simple queries about the weather, the latest news, or sports updates. I immediately got to thinking about ways I could use 1-800-ChatGPT, too. In fact, about an hour after it was announced, I tried it several times. Here's what happened as well as other uses for ChatGPT that can come in handy for anyone with a phone. You can even message ChatGPT in WhatsApp if you don't want to call. Thanks to hands-free dialing, drivers can make a call and have a conversation without taking their eyes off the road. Now with 1-800-ChatGPT, drivers can find how close a gas station is simply by telling ChatGPT where they are on the road. Hungry? ChatGPT can tell you how many miles to the nearest fast food restaurant or sit-down. ChatGPT has made it safer for hands-free interactions. Last night on my way home from my son's soccer game, it was getting late and I had no idea what to do for dinner. I was trying to decide if I should pick up something near our house, which would have been another 30 minutes with three screaming kids. I called ChatGPT and got a run-down of all the chain restaurants and local spots in the area. We decided on a delicious local Tex-Mex spot after I told the AI what I was craving. That was one of the easiest dinner decisions I've ever made. There have been so many times when I need to talk to someone far more technical and handy than I am. Whether my coffee machine is overflowing, desperate to figure out how to put my child's Christmas present together, or how figure out how to replace the air filter in my car, I'm constantly looking for answers. Last night I called 1-800-ChatGPT to help me figure out how to replace the battery in my car key fob. I told ChatGPT what kind of car I drive and the chatbot told me the type of battery I needed and how to install it. Easy peasy! Rather than visually trying to get information, I can now get the technical support I need by having the chatbot talk me through everything. Best of all, no hold music. One of my best friends is Italian and her dad visits regularly from Italy. Once when our children were playing soccer together, it was just the two of us sitting on folding chairs watching the game - in awkward silence. Now by calling 1-800-ChatGPT, I can have a translator on standby and enjoy a real conversation. This is going to be a game changer at birthday parties, holiday events, and so much more. I'm really looking forward to trying this one during the holidays. I'm hoping to get some cooking secrets and wine recommendations directly from him without needing my friend to constantly translate. If you have ever been nervous before a job interview or presentation, you know just how excruciating those minutes or hours can be. Now, whether driving to the interview or practicing at home in front of the mirror, you can call ChatGPT to help you practice. Simply tell ChatGPT the job you are interviewing for and ask it to ask you potential interview questions. You'll go into the interview far more preprepared and far less nervous. While not exactly an interview, I did use ChatGPT for some help with an upcoming social event. This morning I started to think about all the family I'm going to be seeing over the holidays. Unfortunately, the conversations sometimes get uncomfortable (political, religious, financial, you get the idea), so I called ChatGPT and asked for it to help me find answers to tough questions. The chatbot gave some helpful ideas such as come with a list of topics that everyone can agree on, how to gracefully change the subject, and even ways to bow out of a conversation. I don't know about you, but when I'm cooking, I don't have a free hand. And the last thing I want to do with that free hand is get it dirty by texting or tapping on my phone. Now, you can ask Siri to "call ChatGPT" and get immediate help with your recipe. Whether you're looking for a replacement for buttermilk or how to boil an egg, ChatGPT is ready to answer those questions. The school was serving fish sticks for lunch today. While my daughter loves those, my son absolutely does not. I had a hard boiled egg in the fridge, but wasn't sure if it was still good. I called ChatGPT and told it that I boiled the eggs on Monday evening. It told me that the hard boiled egg was still good so I put it in my son's lunch. To be honest, I would have probably called my mom for that one, but instead of waking her up, I was able to lean on ChatGPT. As a parent, I do my best to go over homework with my children each night. However, I know that even as a college graduate, I've gotten a little rusty on my geometry and physics. Now, my kids can call ChatGPT for help with their homework when I'm either still at work or unable to help in the right way. My son tried it this morning with science homework. His class is studying volcanoes. While he already had finished his homework. He did enjoy some awesome science facts while waiting for the bus this morning. For example, he learned lava can reach up to 2000 degrees Fehrenheit, which is hot enough to melt most metals. That's a fun fact he can share with his class today and it got him off Fortnite. Win-win! Full transparency, I have used ChatGPT as a hype machine. I know if I'm feeling anxious or worried about something silly, my friends will always be there to give me a boost. I also know that they are probably sick of saying, "You're doing fine. You've got this. You're worried for no reason!" or whatever other kind things they say to help me. After my kids got on the bus, I called ChatGPT and asked it to give me a pep talk. At first it thought I asked for "a pizza." See, it's not perfect either. But later it told me that I'm stronger than I think I am and can handle whatever comes my way today. It was a pretty solid pep talk. ChatGPT has revolutionized the way we integrate AI into our lives. Now with more ways than ever to communicate with one of the leading chatbots, we can get our questions answered and queries solved in record time. Whether we are running errands, traveling in a foreign country, or sitting at home, whenever we have a question, the answer is just a phone call away.

We called 1-800-ChatGPT to see if OpenAI would ruin Christmas

OpenAI just launched a way to call ChatGPT over the phone. But how does it handle the whole Santa thing? OpenAI just launched a way to call ChatGPT over the phone as a means of introducing people to the generative AI service. Users in the U.S. and Canada can call 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) to chat with the service or ask questions for up to 15 minutes for free per month. The release is part of OpenAI's 12-day release event it's playfully calling "shipmas." (The most exciting announcement came on day three, when it rolled out its highly anticipated AI video-generation tool called Sora.)