OpenAI Launches New Feature: Yes, You Can Call ChatGPT Now!
Artificial Intelligence
2-minute read
You read that right, ChatGPT now has a phone number! When I first saw OpenAI's new feature announcement video, I almost thought I had stumbled onto a TV shopping channel. The retro blue background with white text and the host wearing a Santa hat enthusiastically introducing the feature almost made me think they were selling some magical kitchen gadget. But behind "1-800-ChatGPT" lies an important mission from OpenAI: to make AI more accessible. Whether you're in an area with weak internet signals or only have a basic phone on hand, you can still connect with GPT through WhatsApp messaging.
What is 1-800-ChatGPT?
1-800-ChatGPT is OpenAI's latest experimental service designed to make ChatGPT accessible to more people in the simplest way possible. No account needed, no app download required, and no high-tech equipment necessary. Just pick up the phone or open WhatsApp to start chatting with ChatGPT, enhancing AI accessibility.
How to Use 1-800-ChatGPT?
Currently, users in the US and Canada can call "1-800-242-8478" to have a voice conversation with ChatGPT, with 15 minutes free each month. Even if you're lost in the desert and stumble upon a phone booth, you can make a local call to ChatGPT! And even if you're not in the US, users worldwide can chat with ChatGPT via WhatsApp text messages, supporting multiple languages, so you don't need to speak English. However, note that there's a daily message limit, and currently, multimedia messages like images and voice are not supported.
After testing, you can indeed send messages to ChatGPT.
Beware of Scams, Look for the ChatGPT Green Checkmark
Of course, when using this service, privacy concerns should be noted. According to OpenAI, call records and WhatsApp messages may be stored temporarily for security reviews and to prevent misuse. Additionally, when chatting with ChatGPT on WhatsApp, make sure the phone number is 1-800-242-8478 and check for the official verification mark to avoid scams or misuse.
While I can't think of a situation where I'd need to call ChatGPT, if doomsday ever comes and the internet is down but phones still work (and Jensen Huang's servers are still running), I might just give it a call to ask how to survive. After all, having an AI on standby doesn't seem like a bad idea.
