OpenAI Introduces Phone Access for ChatGPT Users

OpenAI has unveiled a new feature aimed at making its ChatGPT model more accessible: phone-based interactions. The service, which allows users to speak directly with ChatGPT, is currently available exclusively in the United States, but a global rollout is underway via WhatsApp integration.

American users can call ChatGPT for free at 1-800-CHATGPT, with a 15-minute monthly limit. However, standard carrier fees may apply. International users can access the service through WhatsApp, using the number 1-800-242-8478. The phone and messaging services are limited to 15 minutes per number each month, but users might circumvent this by using additional phone numbers, such as those generated via Google Voice.

The phone-based system is built using the Realtime API, while the WhatsApp integration leverages OpenAI’s GPT-4o mini model through the WhatsApp API. Speaking during a livestream, OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil described the phone feature as a step toward introducing more people to artificial intelligence. “Today, we’re taking the next step and bringing ChatGPT to your telephone,” he said, adding that it offers a “low-cost way to try it out” through a familiar communication channel.

The phone interaction closely mirrors ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode, allowing users to ask questions and receive spoken answers. Tasks such as translations are also supported. However, for users seeking a more comprehensive experience with advanced personalization options and higher usage limits, the standard ChatGPT interface remains the primary option.

The introduction of this service has drawn comparisons to Google LLC’s GOOG-411, which launched in 2007. The Google Search phone tool provided free directory assistance via voice but was quietly discontinued three years later. It was later revealed that the service had been used to collect voice data for training speech recognition systems. Addressing potential privacy concerns, OpenAI confirmed that recordings of phone interactions will not be used to train its large language models.

Meanwhile, the WhatsApp integration offers a more traditional text-based chat experience. Users can engage with ChatGPT directly through the messaging platform without needing an account, though limits on daily interactions apply. OpenAI stated that users will receive notifications as they approach their query limits but did not disclose specific thresholds. The company is also working on adding features such as image analysis and web search capabilities to the WhatsApp integration, though no release date for these updates has been announced.

This move by OpenAI is part of its broader effort to make artificial intelligence more accessible to the public. By introducing these new features, the company aims to familiarize a wider audience with ChatGPT while addressing varied user preferences for interacting with AI.