OpenAI launches a hotline and WhatsApp feature for ChatGPT, offering free monthly minutes as part of its ambitious growth strategy in the competitive AI market.

OpenAI has taken a bold step in making its groundbreaking chatbot, ChatGPT, more accessible to users. On Wednesday, the company announced the launch of 1-800-CHATGPT, a new service allowing users in the United States to engage with ChatGPT through phone calls and WhatsApp messages. The move promises to make AI interaction “easy, convenient, and low-cost,” according to the company.

U.S. users can dial 1-800-242-8478 to access the chatbot, enjoying 15 minutes of free usage each month. Globally, users can also send messages via WhatsApp, opening up the service to millions of people across the world. OpenAI revealed these updates as part of a 12-day release event showcasing its latest innovations in artificial intelligence.

This new feature is part of a broader strategy to expand OpenAI’s reach as competition in the generative AI market intensifies. The market is predicted to surpass $1 trillion in revenue over the next decade, and OpenAI is racing against tech giants like Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and new players like Elon Musk’s xAI.

The announcement comes just weeks after OpenAI secured $157 billion in its latest funding round, solidifying its position as one of the most valuable AI companies in the world. The company also secured a $4 billion revolving credit line, bringing its total liquidity to over $10 billion.

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, shared insights during a livestream, noting that the 1-800 tool was developed in just a few weeks. While users don’t need an account to call the hotline, Altman confirmed that the company is exploring ways to integrate WhatsApp conversations with users’ ChatGPT accounts.

The launch of 1-800-CHATGPT builds on OpenAI’s recent updates, including the debut of Sora, its highly anticipated AI video-generation tool, and the introduction of a search feature within ChatGPT. These advancements position the chatbot to compete more directly with search engines like Google and Microsoft’s Bing, as well as alternative AI platforms like Perplexity.

The decision to roll out a phone and WhatsApp feature underscores OpenAI’s aggressive growth strategy, which includes a significant focus on marketing. The company recently hired its first chief marketing officer to boost brand visibility and attract more users in an increasingly crowded field.

OpenAI’s venture into telephonic and text-based AI services could set a new precedent in the industry, offering a human-like conversational experience through channels familiar to millions. For now, the 1-800-CHATGPT service provides a free taste of the technology’s potential, with opportunities for expansion as user demand grows.

As OpenAI continues its push into new frontiers of generative AI, its competitors will likely feel the pressure to keep up. With more updates expected in the coming days of its 12-day event, the company is making it clear that it intends to remain a leader in the AI revolution