OpenAI Launches a New Era of ChatGPT Apps and SDK Preview

OpenAI has officially rolled out a fresh wave of innovation — interactive apps inside ChatGPT, along with a new Apps SDK that lets developers build tools users can chat with directly. The update, now in preview, signals a major shift in how people will use AI to create, learn, and get things done.

According to OpenAI, these new apps blend naturally into ChatGPT conversations. You can summon them by name, for instance, “Spotify, make a playlist for my party this Friday” or ChatGPT can suggest them automatically when needed. The apps respond to natural language and feature interactive displays right inside the chat interface.

A Smarter, More Interactive Chat Experience

The new generation of ChatGPT apps is designed to feel like a natural part of your conversation. Imagine discussing a holiday plan, and ChatGPT instantly brings up Booking.com to help you browse hotels. Or when you’re talking about moving, the Zillow app can open directly inside ChatGPT to show real estate listings that match your budget — no extra tabs needed.

These apps combine familiar visuals like maps, playlists, and design boards with conversational power. You can sketch out a project idea and ask Canva to turn it into slides, or enroll in a Coursera course and get ChatGPT to explain difficult concepts from the video in real time.

Early Access and Pilot Partners

For now, the feature is available to all logged-in ChatGPT users outside the EU, across Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans. The first batch of partners includes some big names:

• Booking.com
• Canva
• Coursera
• Expedia
• Figma
• Spotify
• Zillow

These partners worked closely with OpenAI during the pilot phase, refining the experience and shaping the SDK for public use.

More companies, such as Uber, Target, Peloton, AllTrails, and OpenTable, are expected to join later this year, expanding the list of integrated apps.

Zillow’s Head of AI, John Weisberg, described the integration as “a first-of-its-kind experience that makes finding a home faster, easier, and more intuitive.”

What Developers Can Do with the Apps SDK

OpenAI’s new Apps SDK, now available in preview, is built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP) — an open standard that connects ChatGPT to external data and tools. The SDK allows developers to design both the logic and interface of their apps while maintaining full control over backend connections and user accounts.

The Apps SDK is open-source, meaning apps built with it can run on any platform that adopts the MCP standard. Developers can use OpenAI’s documentation and sample code to begin experimenting through Developer Mode in ChatGPT.

Later this year, OpenAI will begin accepting app submissions for review and publication. Developers will also get the chance to monetize their apps once the ecosystem officially opens.

Privacy, Safety, and User Control

OpenAI has emphasized strict privacy and safety standards for all apps in ChatGPT. Every app must comply with OpenAI’s policies and include a clear privacy statement.

When you connect an app for the first time, ChatGPT will notify you about what data may be shared. The company also plans to introduce more detailed controls later this year, allowing users to decide exactly what data categories an app can access.

What’s Next for ChatGPT Apps

OpenAI says the next phase will include rolling out apps to ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and Edu accounts, plus a dedicated app directory for browsing and discovery.

The company also plans to introduce Agentic Commerce Protocol, an open system that will enable instant in-chat purchases and payments — opening up fresh monetization paths for developers.

For now, this marks just the beginning. With millions of users and an open SDK, OpenAI’s new ecosystem could redefine how people and AI interact, turning ChatGPT from a chat assistant into a true digital workspace.