OpenAI has announced a major update to ChatGPT that allows users to access and interact with third-party applications directly within the chat interface, marking a significant step in transforming the AI assistant into an all-in-one productivity platform.
The new feature enables users to open compatible apps during conversations, letting ChatGPT provide context, reasoning, and step-by-step guidance while external services perform specific actions. The integration aims to make ChatGPT more interactive and capable of handling complex, multi-step tasks across different online tools.
At launch, users will be able to connect with applications including Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, Spotify, and Zillow. Additional apps such as DoorDash, OpenTable, Target, and Uber are expected to be added in the coming weeks.
According to OpenAI, the rollout builds on its recent push to enhance ChatGPT’s utility and interactivity, following the introduction of in-chat purchasing features earlier this year. The company also unveiled a Software Development Kit (SDK) to allow developers to create and test new applications that integrate with ChatGPT. A dedicated app directory will launch later this year, enabling users to browse, install, and manage connected tools.
The new integration framework is powered by the Model Context Protocol (MCP) — an open standard that links ChatGPT to external services, ensuring smooth collaboration between users and applications. Demonstrations shared by OpenAI showed users completing a variety of tasks without leaving the chat — such as designing a poster in Canva, creating a presentation in Figma, searching for flights via Expedia, or browsing home listings on Zillow.
OpenAI stressed that user privacy and transparency are at the core of the new experience. When connecting an external app, ChatGPT will clearly inform users what data is being shared and for what purpose.
The update is being rolled out gradually across OpenAI’s Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans for users outside the European Union, with EU access expected later in the year.
OpenAI said the development reflects its long-term vision of evolving ChatGPT from a conversational assistant into a collaborative “chatable” platform where users, developers, and digital services can work together seamlessly.
By turning ChatGPT into a central hub for everyday productivity, OpenAI aims to bridge the gap between human reasoning and online action — making it possible for users to complete a wide range of digital tasks within a single, unified chat experience.
