OpenAI has introduced 1-800-ChatGPT, an experimental service that integrates the well-known chatbot with WhatsApp. With this change, users can interact more efficiently with the AI chatbot without requiring a special account or app. It’s interesting to note that Meta AI is already available on WhatsApp.
For direct communication with the AI, users in the US and Canada can dial 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478), and WhatsApp users in compatible nations can message the same number for text-based exchanges.
Moneycontrol looked into the chatbot in India. Although we were unable to install ChatGPT via the phone number, it could be added via the QR code on OpenAI’s help website. However, users must start the conversation; ChatGPT won’t do it.
How does it work?
The service has a daily limit for WhatsApp messages and a monthly free usage cap of 15 minutes for phone calls. According to OpenAI, these restrictions may change depending on system capacity. Users will receive notifications when they reach their daily or monthly use caps. “We notify you as you get closer to the limit and let you know when it’s reached,” OpenAI stated.
Does it simply support text messages?
WhatsApp’s AI currently supports only text conversations. Features like utilizing customized parameters like memory or custom instructions, talking with photos, searching, and logging into a ChatGPT account are currently missing. Furthermore, ChatGPT can only be used for one-on-one conversations; users cannot add it to group chats.
The AI cannot handle events or changes after October 2023 because the ChatGPT knowledge base on WhatsApp is only available until then.
Despite having fewer capabilities, the new service expands ChatGPT’s user base and makes it more accessible. More crucially, it also gives WhatsApp users an option to Meta AI.
