ChatGPT-WhatsApp: Image Upload, Voice Message Support, Replies, And More Now Available Via Updates
The feature would enable users to communicate with ChatGPT via voice messages on WhatsApp and receive text responses from the AI chatbot.
In the midst of all the hype surrounding OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s trip to India, the company on Feb. 4 announced a new feature for accessing and interacting with ChatGPT through WhatsApp. The feature would enable users to communicate with ChatGPT via voice messages on the well-known messaging app and receive text responses from the AI chatbot.
The move comes after OpenAI announced in December that users may communicate with ChatGPT by 1-800-CHATGPT via WhatsApp. This gave users a another method of accessing and using ChatGPT beyond downloading the app or using a browser.
ChatGPT On WhatsApp: Image Upload, Voice Message Support
There are now more methods to access and use ChatGPT on WhatsApp thanks to some upgrades that OpenAI has released for 1-800-CHATGPT. OpenAI said that users may now post images in the same way that they can in ChatGPT directly. They can also utilise voice messages to communicate with ChatGPT on WhatsApp, and ChatGPT will reply with text messages.
Users around the world, and those in India—which has one of the highest WhatsApp user bases—are now receiving these updates. The updates, according to OpenAI, are meant to promote inclusion by giving more people in nations like India access to ChatGPT models.
OpenAI’s New Deep Research Tool, More Updates
Recently, OpenAI also expanding its portfolio of AI agents that act on behalf of people by launching a new AI tool. Called Deep Research, the AI tool—which OpenAI likened to a research analyst—can do time-consuming web research for users on anything from complicated science topics to vehicle suggestions.
The Deep Research service will be accessible to select paying users via ChatGPT, the company announced in a blog post. The application will search internet for words, photos, and PDFs in response to a prompt, as well as user-uploaded files, to produce a comprehensive report.
OpenAI will also make it possible for users to link their ChatGPT accounts on Plus, Free, or Pro on WhatsApp in order to increase usage. All users worldwide will be able to access this feature from Feb. 5.
DeepSeek (And Other) Challenges For OpenAI
These launches and updates come at a time when Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has suddenly challenged OpenAI’s dominance in generative AI. DeepSeek made headlines with its low-cost AI model R1, which was reportedly built for less than $6 million and uses a small amount of computing power in comparison to well-known models like ChatGPT.
Adding to OpenAI’s pain, DeepSeek surpassed ChatGPT as the top-ranked free software on Apple's App Store, even as the U.S. IT industry, which has long justified investing billions of dollars in AI, watched DeepSeek’s rise in disbelief.
On Feb. 5, Altman is meeting high-ranking government officials in New Delhi and participate in an industry fireside talk. Altman’s visit also coincides with OpenAI’s legal troubles in India, which include cases involving allegations of copyright infringement. However, OpenAI has reportedly claimed that it only uses publicly accessible data.
