New OpenAI Hotline: Talk to ChatGPT anytime, anywhere

For the 10th day of the Open AIDuring the “12 Days of Shipmas” event, the company decided to go a little old fashioned by launching a phone number for people to call and chat with ChatGPT.

US-based users can call 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478) on any device that can make calls—including a rotary phone—as OpenAI demonstrated in the -his live stream. If you have an international number, you can send a message to ChatGPT using WhatsApp.

It may seem strange that ChatGPT, which has a web version, mobile apps on iOS and Android, and desktop apps for MacOS and Windows, a phone number is required to ask ChatGPT a question. But OpenAI explained that the feature is ideal for those without regular data connections.

Using AI where possible

OpenAI said the feature makes ChatGPT more accessible. After all, calling a phone number is usually free and accessible to people who don't have unlimited data or aren't close to a Wi-Fi connection.

However, anyone who wants to contact ChatGPT can only do so for 15 minutes a month.

This is not the first time a tech company has used calling or texting to expand its user base. In countries like the Philippines, Facebook offers a way for people to use SMS to post on social media platform. This was an advantage in expanding Facebook's reach in the Philippines, where most people have a cell phone, although not necessarily a smartphone. Filipinos are now some of the biggest users of the social network.

Not that ChatGPT is hurting users. It is still one of the most used AI platforms out there, even with more competition in the market. OpenAI said its business offerings, ChatGPT Enterprise, Team and Edu only, has registered more than 1 million users from September. A month earlier, ChatGPT itself reached 200 million users.

OpenAI offers ChatGPT for free, but makes its more advanced modules and other powerful features available to subscribers at the Plus, Teams, Pro, Enterprise and Edu levels.

“This is an experimental way to talk to ChatGPT, so availability and parameters are subject to change,” the company said. “For a more complete experience with more tools, higher parameters and more personalization, users should existing users can continue to use ChatGPT directly through their accounts.”

The disadvantages

Calling ChatGPT feels like using OpenAI Voice and Advanced voice model. I called ChatGPT and asked for ideas on what to do during a layover in Tokyo. As expected, he gave me some tips.

The difference though, is that I didn't get a reading from my conversation with ChatGPT. If I use Advanced Voice Mode, anything we've talked about will be converted into a written conversation that I can look back on when I log into my account.

I also highly doubt that developers will contact ChatGPT and ask it to code anything.

But the feature is interesting and it works. Not bad for something OpenAI developers created a few weeks ago for Hack Week.