OpenAI has launched a new App Directory for ChatGPT, allowing the artificial intelligence tool to connect directly with third-party services including Gmail, Google Drive, Canva and Apple Music, as the company seeks to move the chatbot beyond answering questions and toward performing practical tasks.
The update replaces OpenAI’s earlier “connectors,” which allowed limited access to external platforms but were often difficult to locate and use. By contrast, the App Directory brings integrations together in a single, visible menu and enables users to trigger apps directly within a prompt, making the system more accessible and action-oriented.
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With the new feature, ChatGPT can not only retrieve or reference information from connected services but also carry out actions. For example, the chatbot can apply design changes directly in Canva, create or edit documents in cloud storage services, or automatically generate playlists in Apple Music. OpenAI said the goal is to turn ChatGPT into a more capable digital assistant rather than a purely conversational tool.
“The goal is to transform ChatGPT from a simple question-and-answer tool into a digital assistant capable of carrying out tasks, not just explaining them,” OpenAI said in describing the update.
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The company has also added new controls aimed at business and enterprise users. Administrators will be able to decide which apps are permitted and what level of access they have, and OpenAI said data from these environments will not be used to train its AI models.
Initial reaction to the App Directory has been mixed. Some users have welcomed the move as a step toward making ChatGPT a more practical everyday assistant, while others have raised concerns about privacy or questioned the maturity of some early app integrations, saying they still lack polish or depth.
Source: OpenAI