OpenAI Launches 1-800-ChatGPT To Call or Text With AI Assistant

While OpenAI is consistently innovating and updating ChatGPT, it’s trying something a little old-school. To attract more users, OpenAI is testing a phone number that people can call to talk to ChatGPT.

Without setting up a ChatGPT account, anyone with a U.S. or Canadian phone number can call 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478). U.S. users can also text the number. In other supported regions, conversations can be started via text through the WhatsApp messaging app.

“Hi, I’m ChatGPT, an AI assistant,” says a female robot voice when a call is initiated. “Our conversation may be reviewed for safety. How can I help you?”

From there, someone can ask ChatGPT about recipes, vacation destinations, hobby ideas, or even trivia questions. Anything beyond that, like real-time conversations in ChatGPT Search, users will need to use the ChatGPT app.

“It’s core to our mission to make tools like ChatGPT broadly available so that people can experience the benefits of AI,” OpenAI told PCMag.

1-800-ChatGPT Phone Number Limitations

The main issue at the moment is that ChatGPT’s telephone assistant only has information up until October 2023. So, users seeking answers about more timely topics, like the current weather, will be met with vague or flawed answers.

Every month, callers have 15 minutes of 1-800-ChatGPT conversations available. OpenAI will warn users as they approach that limit. When the 15 minutes are up, ChatGPT will suggest downloading the app or visiting chatgpt.com to continue. There is also an undisclosed daily usage limit, which OpenAI says will be enforced based on capacity.

OpenAI notes that callers will have a better experience by eliminating background noise when speaking to ChatGPT. Loud environments can lead to misinterpretation and disruption of caller prompts, which can confuse the AI assistant.

Assuredly, OpenAI states ChatGPT will never call you first. For now, 1-800-ChatGPT cannot be used in a group chat. The company does warn callers that conversations are stored and may be reviewed to enhance safety and prevent abuse.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is arguably the most popular AI assistant in the world. According to the company, 1-800-ChatGPT will be continually updated and improved as new data is collected about its usage.