Welcome to the forefront of conversational AI as we explore the fascinating world of AI chatbots in our dedicated blog series. Discover the latest advancements, applications, and strategies that propel the evolution of chatbot technology. From enhancing customer interactions to streamlining business processes, these articles delve into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of automated conversational agents. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or simply intrigued by the future of interactive technology, join us on this journey to unravel the transformative power and endless possibilities of AI chatbots.
OpenAI is shifting the focus of its commerce efforts to retailers’ ChatGPT apps after scaling back its plans to sell products directly through ChatGPT checkouts, The Information reported Wednesday (March 11).
Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.
yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.
By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
An OpenAI spokesperson said this approach will give merchants greater control over the purchasing experience, according to the report.
The shift to in-app purchases has presented some challenges, the report said. Among them: ChatGPT users may consider the AI assistant to be primarily a research and chatting tool; shoppers may not know that the retailers’ ChatGPT apps exist or how to access them; and shoppers can instead follow links to a merchant’s website to make purchases there.
We’d love to be your preferred source for news.
Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!
So far, although about 100 firms have ChatGPT apps, only one, Instacart, enables checkout within the ChatGPT app, per the report.
OpenAI announced in October that it enabled ChatGPT users to chat with several third-party apps while in conversation with the chatbot. The company did so by launching a feature called Apps in ChatGPT, together with an Apps SDK for developers that allows them to build these kinds of apps.
“The magic of this new generation of apps in ChatGPT is how they blend familiar interactive elements — like maps, playlists and presentations — with new ways of interacting through conversation,” the company said at the time in a press release.
Advertisement: Scroll to Continue
Instacart announced in December that it integrated its app with ChatGPT, enabling Instacart to offer an embedded shopping and checkout experience within ChatGPT conversations.
“Together, we’re creating a seamless and secure way for people to turn simple conversations into real-world action — helping customers go from inspiration to a full cart delivered from the store to their door with ease,” Instacart Chief Technology Officer Anirban Kundu said at the time in a press release.
Also in December, OpenAI opened its ChatGPT App Directory, which is a marketplace of third-party apps that run directly within the ChatGPT interface. The marketplace allows developers to submit apps for review and publication, users to discover and use those apps without leaving ChatGPT, and brands to integrate their services directly into the AI chat experience and without asking users to switch platforms.
OpenAI Moves Commerce Focus to Brand-Owned ChatGPT Apps
Wells Fargo Files Plan for WFUSD Digital Assets Effort
Supply Chains Are Learning to Think and Act on Their Own
Revolut Wins Long-Awaited Full Banking License in the UK
Get PYMNTS Today, AI, B2B and more.
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors.