ChatGPT “app store” coming soon so you can sell your own AI bots

ChatGPT is getting an app store, where you can make — and sell — your own AI-powered systems. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced in San Francisco this week that you can now make your own version of ChatGPT, dubbed a “GPT”, which carries out a specific task. These AI bots will then be collected in a GPT Store, which launches later this month.

OpenAI also announced GPT-4 Turbo, an updated and upgraded large language model for ChatGPT. This means paying users can access AI-generated content that draws on information up to April 2023. Previously, ChatGPT had only digested online information up to September 2021 and couldn’t tell you anything about more recent events.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, clearly realises that building a clever tool is just the start, and is now looking to become a conduit for the things people make with that tool. 

Related reading: GPT-4 for business: take advantage today

GPT evolution

According to OpenAI’s announcement, a GPT works by storing a set of prompts, saving you from having to paste them into ChatGPT every time you want to do the same thing. As well as drawing on ChatGPT’s ability to generate text, it can work with other systems and APIs, such as a translation service, your company’s internal software and data or even your email.

You can try it now at chat.openai.com/create.

ChatGPT’s main selling point is that you don’t need technical ability or knowledge to generate whatever text you need. You just ask for what you want. In keeping with that, OpenAI says you won’t need coding skills to create a GPT — in fact, you can actually ask ChatGPT to make you one.

Also read: ChatGPT Plus upgraded with powerful new features

GPT App Store

Just like the Apple or Google app stores, anyone who makes a GPT could earn money from other people using it. At the announcement, OpenAI showcased GPTs built by Code.org, TripAdvisor and Canva.

However, it’s unclear when regular people will be able to start making them or charging for them. When the store does open, it will feature leaderboards and categories to showcase popular and useful GPTs.

OpenAI also says it’s setting up security systems to stop people from adding GPTs with malicious code to the store.

What is a GPT anyway?

GPT stands for generative pre-trained transformers, which is generally accepted as a generic term for large language model AI.

Major companies have already built their own systems using “GPT” as part of the name. There’s SlackGPT, which powers the widely used business messaging app. Salesforce has its EinsteinGPT customer relations software. And BloombergGPT handles masses of financial data.

But OpenAI has applied to trademark the acronym “GPT”, and this latest move seems like another attempt to claim ownership of the term.

Related reading: ChatGPT is the real deal – and it’s going to change the world

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also appeared onstage at the OpenAI event, despite the company planning its own task-specific tools for the Copilot AI system.

And in a tweet that praised OpenAI’s new capabilities, Yusuf Mehdi, Consumer Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft said: “We’re excited to support these with Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Azure AI. More to come at our Ignite conference on Nov 15-16.”