OpenAI is upgrading ChatGPT from a "conversational assistant" to an "intelligent operating platform." The company recently announced that the **ChatGPT app functionality (App Directory)** is now open for developers to submit applications. Starting today, developers can develop and submit AI applications with specific functions according to the official submission guidelines, and after review, they will be listed in the built-in app directory of ChatGPT.
These applications are not independent programs but rather "skill plugins" that inject new contexts and operational capabilities into ChatGPT. When users interact with ChatGPT, they can directly call these applications to perform real-world tasks, such as:
- Ordering fresh groceries;
- Converting a text outline into a structured presentation in one click;
- Searching and filtering local apartment listings;
- And even more automated operations in vertical scenarios in the future.
All launched applications will be displayed in the **App Directory** within ChatGPT. Users can browse official recommended selections or search for the services they need by keywords. This mechanism is similar to the App Store for iPhones, but the core difference lies in: users do not need to leave the conversation, and all functions are seamlessly completed within the native interface of ChatGPT.
This move marks a key step for OpenAI in building an **AI-native application ecosystem**. By opening up platform interfaces, OpenAI not only expands the practical boundaries of ChatGPT, but also aims to create a "smart service market" driven by developers - where AI is no longer just a passive responder, but an intelligent agent capable of actively connecting to real-world services and completing end-to-end tasks.
As the review mechanism and distribution channels improve, ChatGPT is evolving from a general large model into the next-generation human-computer interaction entry point that integrates conversation, decision-making, and execution. The first batch of "AI applications" that join may define a new paradigm for how people interact with digital services in the future.
