An executive from OpenAI has stated that ChatGPT will evolve into an operating system.
OpenAI executives emphasize an operating system-based future for ChatGPT
OpenAI appears to be investigating how ChatGPT might evolve beyond a conventional app and transition into an operating system. This vision indicates that ChatGPT could serve as a primary software layer for various applications and services, rather than merely functioning as another app to open and close. This goal became more evident after the company appointed Glen Coates as the new Head of App Platform to "help turn ChatGPT into an OS."
In a recent tweet, Coates expressed his enthusiasm for leading the App Platform, noting that his previous success with iOS nearly 20 years ago should make this endeavor straightforward. He thanked Tobi for the opportunity and the team at Shopify, joking about his excitement to demonstrate coding on a new stage.
This concept isn’t just centered around one executive appointment. Nick Turley, OpenAI’s Head of ChatGPT, has also publicly focused on similar ambitions. In an interview with TechCrunch, Turley stated that ChatGPT could eventually function more like an operating system.
"The evolution we’re aiming for in the coming years is for ChatGPT to be more akin to an operating system where users can access applications. If you want to write, there’s an app for that. If you want to code, there’s an app for that. If you wish to interact with goods and services, applications will be available for you,” he stated.
How ChatGPT might transform into an operating system
Changes are already taking shape within ChatGPT. The platform has advanced from simple conversations to become a gateway for search, memory, and AI-powered actions. With the recent introduction of applications, third-party services can now operate directly within the chatbot. Integrations for services like Peloton, Tripadvisor, Canva, and Spotify enable users to accomplish tasks without leaving the conversation. This illustrates the potential for an entire app ecosystem to exist within ChatGPT.
An operating system typically serves as a link between users, applications, and hardware. ChatGPT already manages much of the user-facing aspect, acting as the interface through which individuals search, ask questions, and perform tasks. However, further platform coordination and hardware integration remain necessary components. This is where Coates' experience in developing large-scale platforms is significant.
The timing of Coates' arrival coincides with other long-term initiatives. OpenAI is collaborating with Jony Ive on an AI-powered device expected to debut in 2027, while also expanding partnerships with app developers like Adobe and PayPal.
With its data center infrastructure and expanding ecosystem, ChatGPT might one day evolve into an AI operating system. Although there is no set timeline for when or if this will happen, the path OpenAI is charting for ChatGPT is becoming increasingly apparent.
Other articles
An executive from OpenAI has stated that ChatGPT will evolve into an operating system.
OpenAI is investigating a future in which ChatGPT evolves from a chatbot into an operating system. Senior executives have indicated that ChatGPT could become a central hub where various apps, tools, and services operate from a single platform.
