On Wednesday, OpenAI announced the launch of an official phone number for its ChatGPT service, allowing users in eligible regions to engage with the chatbot through voice calls. For those situated elsewhere, the contact can be saved for WhatsApp messaging to interact with the AI-driven tool verbally.
OpenAI Enables Voice Calls to ChatGPT
The new vanity phone number, 1-800-ChatGPT (+1-800-242-8478), was revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Vanity phone numbers use letters corresponding to numbers on a keypad, making them easier to remember. The ‘800’ code indicates that calls made to this number are toll-free for users. Currently, this service is limited to residents of the United States and Canada.
OpenAI has set a limit of 15 minutes of call time per month for users. The company indicated that these parameters could change in the future. Individuals outside of the US and Canada can still engage with ChatGPT using the number, albeit exclusively through WhatsApp messaging.
WhatsApp users can send messages to ChatGPT in a manner similar to using the official app or website. However, the chatbot on WhatsApp currently supports only text input and output. Features such as Search, Canvas, and image generation through DALL-E are not accessible via WhatsApp or during phone calls.
Importantly, OpenAI clarified that the phone call feature does not necessitate smartphones, making it compatible with feature phones as well.
OpenAI continues to actively promote ChatGPT as the leading AI chatbot platform. The company has established partnerships with major players like Microsoft and Apple to integrate its large language models. With the rollout of ChatGPT on Windows and macOS this year, the introduction of phone capabilities appears to be a strategic move to reach rural audiences who may have limited data access or have yet to utilize the chatbot service.
