ChatGPT is coming to smartphones [Updated]

A sign promoting ChatGPT, a hugely popular language app that has sparked a rush in artificial intelligence technology, is displayed at a booth during the three-day 7th AI Expo, part of NexTech Week Tokyo 2023, Japan’s largest trade show for artificial intelligence technology companies, at Tokyo Big Sight on May 10, 2023. ( AFP)

SAN FRANCISCO – ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence bot that became a global sensation for its powers to churn out human-like content and provide answers on all subjects, is now available in the Apple app store.

OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed company behind ChatGPT, on Thursday said the release came after it heard from users that they “love using ChatGPT on the go.”

By moving to smartphones, OpenAI continues its encroachment on the search market, massively dominated by Google, which has been put under pressure by the rise of generative AI.

Offered free of charge, the app will allow users to “get precise information without sifting through ads or multiple results,” OpenAI said on its website, in a subtle dig at Google’s search engine.

The app can also give “guidance on cooking, travel plans, or crafting thoughtful messages,” the company added.

OpenAI said it was starting the rollout in the United States and will expand to additional countries in the coming weeks. ChatGPT would be available on Android devices “soon,” it added.

ChatGPT’s powers are already available on smartphones, through Microsoft’s Bing search app, which uses technology from OpenAI.

The app store is also stocked with apps riding the wave of excitement around AI. Facebook-owner Meta last month warned of malicious software posing as ChatGPT or similar AI tools.

Published April 10, 2023. Updated May 20, 2023

gsg