OpenAI has embarked on an ambitious new endeavor: the creation of its own sophisticated version of an app store. This strategic initiative, while innovative and forward-looking, could potentially disrupt and even threaten the dominance of long-established technology giants such as Apple and Google—companies whose platforms have long defined the modern digital ecosystem. By constructing a self-contained marketplace for artificial intelligence applications, OpenAI is not merely expanding its portfolio but is fundamentally reimagining how users engage with AI tools and digital experiences.
The announcement took place during OpenAI’s annual DevDay event on Monday, where the company unveiled a series of groundbreaking developments that collectively signal a significant step toward a more integrated AI economy. Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman revealed that ChatGPT, OpenAI’s flagship conversational AI platform, now boasts an extraordinary 800 million weekly users—a figure that highlights both the scale of its adoption and the emerging ubiquity of AI in daily life. Building upon this momentum, OpenAI disclosed plans to embed applications directly within ChatGPT, thereby transforming it from a simple dialogue-based assistant into a robust, multi-purpose platform capable of hosting diverse, interactive services.
Central to this initiative is the introduction of an application software development kit (SDK), a comprehensive toolkit designed to enable third-party developers to create, customize, and deploy their own applications directly inside ChatGPT. This effectively transforms the platform into a dynamic AI-driven ecosystem reminiscent of an app store, granting users immediate access to an array of specialized tools without leaving the ChatGPT environment. The SDK empowers developers to integrate their services seamlessly, thus fostering a new class of embedded AI applications tailored to individual user needs.
When users engage with an app for the first time within ChatGPT, they will encounter a streamlined process that requests their consent to establish a connection and determine which data they wish to share. This transparent data-sharing mechanism ensures both user autonomy and data security, while also enhancing personalization. Once connected, users can interact with apps using natural language—conversing as they normally would with ChatGPT itself. For instance, a user might request Spotify to curate a playlist aligned with their mood or instruct Zillow to present specific categories of real estate listings. The results of these interactions appear directly within the ChatGPT interface, seamlessly blending conversational AI with actionable outcomes.
Altman described this vision as the dawn of “a new generation of applications”—dynamic tools that are not only interactive but also adaptive and intricately personalized. He emphasized that these capabilities would enable developers to scale their products far more rapidly than through traditional app ecosystems, effectively democratizing innovation within the AI landscape.
OpenAI further clarified that later this year, it will begin accepting app submissions for formal review and publication. During that phase, the company also plans to release additional information outlining how developers can monetize their creations. According to Altman, the upcoming launch will also incorporate OpenAI’s newly developed commerce functionality—an integrated system that allows users to make purchases directly through ChatGPT. This capability establishes a self-sustaining commercial model within the platform, opening a pathway for both OpenAI and app creators to generate revenue.
Historically, app stores have been lucrative enterprises for technology companies, with Apple and Google deriving substantial income from taking a percentage fee from app purchases or subscriptions. Should OpenAI’s marketplace attract comparable traction, it could mark a meaningful shift in the flow of digital commerce—redirecting a portion of app-related revenue streams toward the AI sector.
In addition to the core app infrastructure, OpenAI is launching a detailed directory designed to help users browse available apps efficiently. Within this catalog, applications that meet particularly high standards of aesthetic design, technical reliability, and user experience will receive more prominent placement, both within the directory itself and directly inside the ChatGPT interface. This emphasis on quality, Altman emphasized, will ensure that the most refined and practical tools are easily discoverable by users.
At launch, OpenAI’s partner network already features a number of globally recognized brands and platforms, including Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Figma, Expedia, Spotify, and Zillow. These early collaborators showcase the breadth of industries—from travel and education to design and entertainment—that can be enhanced through AI integration. Furthermore, OpenAI announced that additional partners will join the platform later in the year, with names such as AllTrails, Khan Academy, Instacart, Peloton, Target, Tripadvisor, and Uber scheduled to roll out subsequently. This expanding roster signals OpenAI’s commitment to cultivating a diverse ecosystem that connects users with an ever-growing variety of intelligent, conversational, and highly personalized applications.
Collectively, these developments underscore a pivotal moment in the evolution of artificial intelligence. By embedding an app store directly into ChatGPT, OpenAI is not merely adding a feature—it is charting a path toward a new model of digital interaction where conversation becomes the primary interface between humans and technology.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-just-launched-app-store-taking-aim-apple-google-2025-10
