OpenAI opens doors to third-party apps like Spotify in ChatGPT

OpenAI has announced a new feature that will allow developers to build interactive apps directly inside ChatGPT, effectively turning the AI chatbot into a one-stop shop for productivity, search, entertainment, and more.

The announcement, made during the company’s 2025 DevDay conference, introduced what OpenAI calls the ChatGPT Apps SDK, a development framework that lets third-party services integrate directly within the ChatGPT interface.

The update means users will soon be able to, for example, book hotels via Booking.com, create designs using Canva, or browse property listings, all without leaving the conversation.

“We’re moving from a tool that gives you answers, to a platform that helps you act,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during his keynote address. “This is the beginning of ChatGPT as your digital workspace.”

What the new feature offers

With the new Apps SDK, developers can create apps that live inside ChatGPT and respond to natural language in real time. Users can interact with these apps using simple prompts like “create a birthday invitation in Canva” or “find me a two-bedroom apartment in Westlands,” and receive fully functional responses from connected services, visually embedded right in the chat.

Some apps will appear contextually, triggered by the user's queries. Others can be pinned, launched manually, or discovered through a soon-to-launch ChatGPT App Store. Launch partners so far include Expedia, Canva, Coursera, Instacart, Klarna, Zapier, and Spotify, among others.

More than a chatbot

OpenAI’s vision is clear: ChatGPT is evolving beyond a question-answering tool into what some call a “conversational operating system.”

Rather than switching between apps, copying information, or opening multiple tabs, users stay in ChatGPT while accessing capabilities from various web services. This offers a streamlined and intuitive experience, especially for tasks that usually require juggling multiple platforms.

“It’s the most seamless multitasking I’ve seen,” said Leila Mwangi, a Nairobi-based UX designer who tested the beta version. “It’s like having Google, Canva, and your personal assistant in the same room, responding to what you need without being told twice.”

New opportunities for developers

For developers worldwide, including those in Kenya’s growing tech ecosystem, this presents a huge opportunity to reach a global user base.

OpenAI says the SDK is currently open for preview, with app submissions to be reviewed and released in the coming months. These apps can include interactive UI elements, respond to follow-up questions, and be monetised once payment tools are integrated.

OpenAI also hinted at future commerce features, including an “instant checkout” inside ChatGPT, enabling users to buy, subscribe, or donate directly through an app without leaving the conversation.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• Google
• ChatGPT
• Spotify
• openAI
• Canva
• OpenAI opens doors to third-party apps like Spotify in ChatGPT
• Technology

What it means for users in Kenya

As more Kenyans adopt remote work, AI tools, and e-commerce, app integration within ChatGPT could simplify digital workflows, whether you’re a freelancer drafting proposals, a teacher creating learning materials, or a shopper comparing prices.

“I see this becoming the new internet hub; it removes the need for multiple tabs. You can have Spotify playing, an invoice generating, and a script being written, all in one thread,” Mwangi said.

The change could also bridge digital access barriers for non-technical users who struggle with complex interfaces or app overload.

Privacy and rollout

Despite the excitement, OpenAI remains cautious about privacy and control. Each app must request specific permissions, similar to mobile apps, and users can review and manage granted permissions.

The company says all apps will undergo rigorous safety and usability checks, with spammy or low-quality tools filtered out before release.

The rollout is ongoing. For now, most apps are available in the ChatGPT web app to users on the Plus, Pro, and Go plans, with gradual expansion planned.