OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the next wave of AI apps will feel less like tools and more like talking with a helpful companion.

Speaking at the recent Developer Day, Altman announced that ChatGPT will now include built-in apps that are interactive, adaptive and personalised, and they’ll meet users right inside their chat.

Users can discover these apps when ChatGPT suggests one at the right time or by simply calling them by name.

Say, “Spotify, make a playlist for my party this Friday,” and ChatGPT can bring up Spotify right in your conversation.

The first time you use an app, ChatGPT will prompt you to connect it, making clear what data might be shared.

After that, the experience blends naturally with your chat.

Altman says this is the start of a new generation of applications that combine familiar elements like maps, playlists and presentations with interactive AI.

You might ask Canva to turn an outline into a slide deck or have Coursera explain something mid-video.

To make discovery easier, OpenAI will also launch an App Directory, its version of an App Store.

The directory will provide an organised way to find and manage third-party apps built for ChatGPT, improving accessibility and the overall user experience.

Altman also highlighted OpenAI’s mission to empower developers and businesses, showcasing new tools and models designed to accelerate AI adoption and make it easier to build with AI.

Early apps now available include Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma and Spotify.

With AI evolving quickly, this new era of chat-based apps could reshape how we learn, create and get things done, and for Coasties using ChatGPT, it’s a glimpse of where everyday tech is heading next.

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