OpenAI’s annual developer conference, DevDay, commenced with the announcement by co-founder and CEO Sam Altman regarding a new “Apps SDK.” This SDK enables the development of applications within the ChatGPT environment, allowing companies to monetize these apps using OpenAI’s recently launched Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP). Users will have the capability to access various applications without leaving ChatGPT, bringing in external data seamlessly for enhanced interaction.
The Apps SDK, developed using the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP), empowers third-party developers to connect data, initiate actions, and create an interactive user interface. A notable feature is the “talking to apps” function, which allows the underlying AI model to receive real-time context updates from external services, enhancing the user experience. The SDK allows applications to be displayed within the chat as lightweight cards or expanded to fullscreen views for more detailed interactions.
Early integrations demonstrated during the keynote include educational platform Coursera, design software Canva, and real estate service Zillow, among others. Users can interact with these apps directly in the ChatGPT interface. For example, a Coursera integration enables video playback within the chat, allowing users to ask the AI questions about the content viewed. Similarly, users can request tasks like creating a design in Canva based on input from previous chats.
OpenAI has outlined stringent privacy, safety, and content guidelines for apps to be featured on ChatGPT. These guidelines include obtaining user consent, ensuring apps serve a clear purpose, and maintaining predictable behavior. Partners are permitted to display their branding, but they must adhere to established design standards and maintain user accessibility.
The introduction of the Apps SDK marks a significant advancement for ChatGPT, positioning it as an AI operating system that integrates various functionalities into a cohesive experience. However, questions remain regarding data management from third-party applications and the future of OpenAI’s previously proposed GPT Store. Further inquiries have been made to OpenAI for clarification on these issues.
Source: https://venturebeat.com/ai/openai-announces-apps-sdk-allowing-chatgpt-to-launch-and-run-third-party