OpenAI Introduces Apps SDK to Bring Third-Party Apps Into ChatGPT
ChatGPT is evolving from a standalone assistant into a full-fledged AI platform. OpenAI has unveiled the Apps SDK — a new toolkit that allows developers to integrate their own applications directly into ChatGPT’s interface.
Apps SDK: connecting the AI ecosystem
The new **Apps SDK** lets developers embed external services into ChatGPT, enabling seamless interactions between users and third-party tools. Once connected, users can call these apps naturally in conversation — without switching windows or pasting links.
During the live demo, OpenAI showcased integrations with **Coursera**, **Spotify**, **Figma**, **Canva**, and **Zillow**, illustrating how ChatGPT can launch playlists, design projects, learning courses, or property searches — all within a single chat thread.
How it works
The first time a user accesses an app through ChatGPT, they’ll be prompted to sign in using their credentials. After that, ChatGPT remembers the authorization, and the user can simply mention the app’s name in natural language.
For example:
*“ChatGPT, find a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco on Zillow”* — instantly triggers Zillow’s built-in integration, delivering results directly into the chat.
The process mirrors how smartphone app ecosystems operate — but within a conversational environment.
From chatbot to operating system for AI
This move represents a strategic shift for OpenAI: transforming ChatGPT from a single AI assistant into a **universal interface for digital work**. With the Apps SDK, developers can now build specialized tools that leverage GPT capabilities while keeping users inside ChatGPT.
Developers and businesses gain a new channel
For app makers, the SDK provides a direct gateway to millions of ChatGPT users. Businesses can create AI-driven experiences — from learning platforms to financial dashboards — without building separate chatbots or web apps. This could redefine software distribution, shifting it toward natural-language interfaces.
Analysts suggest that the move also positions OpenAI more competitively against ecosystems like Apple’s App Store and Google Play, but with AI as the core interface layer.
Privacy, security, and permissions
OpenAI confirmed that all app integrations will follow a permission-based model. Users must explicitly approve any data sharing between ChatGPT and third-party apps. Each integration runs within a sandboxed environment to minimize security risks.
The start of an AI app economy
Industry experts see this as the beginning of an “AI app economy,” where tools, services, and content ecosystems converge inside intelligent agents. With Apps SDK, ChatGPT could evolve into a daily work hub — combining productivity, creativity, and entertainment under one conversational layer.
Editorial Team — CoinBotLab