Spin the Wheel

ChatGPT as Operating System

Nick Turley, who joined OpenAI in 2022 to help commercialize what was essentially a science experiment, has unveiled an ambitious vision for ChatGPT's future: transforming it from a simple chat interface into a full-blown operating system that can host third-party apps. This evolution would position ChatGPT as the central hub for digital life, similar to how web browsers evolved from simple windows for websites into the primary interface for most online activities. The vision is bold. Turley imagines a world where "most of what we do now happens in the browser" could instead happen in ChatGPT. Users would be able to order takeout, book travel, write code, manage finances, and handle virtually any digital task—all within the ChatGPT interface. This would make ChatGPT not just an AI assistant, but the primary operating system for digital interactions. The concept builds on OpenAI's earlier attempts at creating an "AI app store" through plugins and the GPT Store, which launched in 2023 but failed to gain significant traction. Turley argues that this time will be different because apps will live inside ChatGPT's core experience, not as separate tabs or forgotten features. This integration is crucial because it makes apps more visible and accessible, increasing the likelihood that users will actually use them. The strategic implications are significant. By becoming an operating system, ChatGPT could capture a portion of the value created by every app that runs on it. When users order food through DoorDash or book travel through Expedia within ChatGPT, OpenAI could potentially take a cut of those transactions. This creates a new revenue stream beyond subscriptions and API usage. However, this vision also raises complex questions about competition and platform control. When multiple apps want to serve the same user need—like DoorDash and Instacart both wanting to deliver snacks—who gets priority? Turley says OpenAI is still figuring this out, but the decision will have significant implications for app developers and users alike. The operating system vision also includes plans for hardware. OpenAI is rumored to be working on its own browser and even a mystery hardware device in partnership with former Apple designer Jony Ive. This suggests that OpenAI sees ChatGPT not just as software, but as a complete ecosystem that could include dedicated devices optimized for AI interactions. The technical challenges are substantial. Building an operating system is one of the most complex software engineering tasks, requiring robust security, reliable performance, and seamless integration with countless third-party services. ChatGPT would need to handle everything from payment processing to data synchronization to app sandboxing—all while maintaining the conversational interface that makes it appealing. The vision also raises questions about OpenAI's mission. The company was founded with the goal of ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity. Turning ChatGPT into an operating system and app platform could be seen as either advancing that mission by making AI more accessible, or as a departure from it in favor of commercial interests. Turley frames the evolution as consistent with OpenAI's mission, calling ChatGPT the "delivery vehicle" for AGI. He points to stories like an 89-year-old who learned to code with ChatGPT as evidence that the platform is democratizing access to powerful capabilities. However, critics might argue that building a platform that captures value from every interaction is more about commercial dominance than democratization. The success of this vision will depend on several factors. First, developers need to be willing to build apps for the ChatGPT platform. This requires clear APIs, good documentation, and a compelling value proposition. Second, users need to find the integrated experience more convenient than using separate apps. Third, the platform needs to maintain the quality and reliability that users expect from an operating system. Looking forward, the ChatGPT-as-OS vision represents a fundamental shift in how we might interact with computers. Instead of launching separate applications, users would describe what they want to accomplish, and ChatGPT would orchestrate the necessary apps and services to make it happen. This could make computing more intuitive and accessible, but it also centralizes significant power in OpenAI's hands. The vision also highlights the competitive dynamics in the AI industry. Google, Microsoft, Apple, and other tech giants are all pursuing similar visions of AI-powered platforms. The race to become the dominant AI operating system could shape the technology landscape for decades to come, with implications for innovation, competition, and user choice. In conclusion, the vision of ChatGPT as an operating system represents one of the most ambitious plans in the current AI landscape. It would transform ChatGPT from a tool into a platform, from an assistant into an ecosystem. Whether this vision becomes reality depends on technical execution, developer adoption, and user acceptance. But if it succeeds, it could fundamentally change how we interact with digital technology.