OpenAI Launches Voice Chat with ChatGPT via 1-800-CHATGPT Number
New Feature Makes AI Assistant More Accessible to Those Without Smartphones or Computers
On Wednesday, OpenAI launched a 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) telephone number that anyone in the US can call to talk to ChatGPT via voice chat for up to 15 minutes for free. The company also says that people outside the US can send text messages to the same number for free using WhatsApp.
How It Works
Upon calling, users hear a voice say, "Hello again, it’s ChatGPT, an AI assistant. Our conversation may be reviewed for safety. How can I help you?" Callers can ask ChatGPT anything they would normally ask the AI assistant and have a live, interactive conversation.
Demonstration
During a livestream demo of "Calling with ChatGPT" during Day 10 of "12 Days of OpenAI," OpenAI employees demonstrated several examples of the telephone-based voice chat in action. They asked ChatGPT to identify a distinctive house in California and for help in translating a message into Spanish for a friend. For fun, they showed calls from an iPhone, a flip phone, and a vintage rotary phone.
Background
The new feature came out of an internal OpenAI "hack week" project that a team built just a few weeks ago. The company’s goal is to make ChatGPT more accessible to those who do not have a smartphone or a computer handy.
Technical Details
During the livestream, an OpenAI employee mentioned that 15 minutes of voice chatting are free and that users can download the app and create an account to get more. While the audio chat version seems to be running a full version of GPT-4o on the back end, a developer during the livestream said the free WhatsApp text mode is using GPT-4o mini.
Conclusion
The new voice chat feature with ChatGPT via 1-800-CHATGPT number makes the AI assistant more accessible to a wider range of people. With the ability to use voice chat or text messaging, users can interact with ChatGPT in a way that is convenient for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I use the 1-800-CHATGPT number?
A: Simply call the number and follow the prompts to initiate a voice chat with ChatGPT.
Q: Is the service free?
A: Yes, the service is free for up to 15 minutes of voice chatting. After that, users can download the app and create an account to get more.
Q: Can I use the service from outside the US?
A: Yes, people outside the US can send text messages to the same number for free using WhatsApp.
Q: What is the purpose of the service?
A: The service aims to make ChatGPT more accessible to those who do not have a smartphone or a computer handy.
