ChatGPT is now available on WhatsApp and a dedicated hotline

OpenAIhas rolled out a new feature for users to interact with ChatGPT, its popular chatbot, via a dedicated 1-800 number.

Starting this week, users in the United States can call 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) to engage in a free 15-minute conversation with the AI chatbot once a month, said the company.

While the service is currently available only in the US, users in India can message ChatGPT via WhatsApp at 1-800-ChatGPT without the need for an OpenAI 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," read the company’s blog. 

The integration is free and designed to make interactions with AI as easy as chatting with a friend or an AI assistant on the WhatsApp messaging platform.

This launch is OpenAI’s latest effort to make its AI technology more accessible and user-friendly across different platforms. The announcement is also a part of OpenAI's ongoing 12-day release event, packed with several updates. Among the highlights is the official launch of Sora, an AI video-generation tool. 

“WhatsApp messaging currently supports text conversations only. Features that require logging into a ChatGPT account, such as ChatGPT search, chatting with images, and personalisation features like custom instructions and memory, are not currently available. The knowledge cutoff for 1-800-ChatGPT is Oct 2023,” the company said.