Artificial Intelligence firm OpenAI has extended its digital borders, releasing the official ChatGPT application for iPhone users in the United Kingdom as well as ten other countries.
After an exclusive release in the U.S. just a week ago, the iPhone app now finds its footing in France, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, Nigeria, Albania, Croatia, Ireland, Jamaica, Nicaragua, and the United Kingdom.
A Global Approach to AI Technology
Originally designed as a U.S.-only service, the ChatGPT application will now be found on the Apple App Stores of 12 countries, with further global expansion in the pipeline.
In an official announcement, OpenAI emphasised, “Since the release of ChatGPT, we’ve heard from users that they love using ChatGPT on the go. Today, we’re launching the ChatGPT app for iOS.”
The company has also given a nod towards its ambitious plans for the future, revealing intentions to extend the app’s reach into even more international markets and to launch it on the Android platform.
A Versatile AI Companion for a Mobile Generation
As it stands, the ChatGPT application represents the optimal way to interact with the chatbot officially, allowing for quicker response times and advanced GPT-4 capabilities.
Furthermore, users can access an ad-free experience, including chat history synchronisation across multiple platforms.
However, it’s not just text responses users can expect from the AI; OpenAI has expanded the app’s functionality to include voice inputs, using their open source speech recognition system Whisper.
Users can dictate texts or simply type in their queries in a text box, just like any other messenger app, with the AI providing the answers.
While there’s no guarantee that the official app will outpace third-party versions, the introduction of an official OpenAI app surely adds a new dynamic to the AI chatbot market.
Upgraded Features and User Privacy
OpenAI’s ChatGPT app also boasts shared links, a new feature that enables users to share their conversations with others, as well as web browsing and third-party plugins for ChatGPT Plus subscribers.
While currently in the beta stage, these features promise to enrich user experience.
Importantly, OpenAI has addressed user privacy by offering an option to disable chat history on iOS.
While this does inhibit the AI’s ability to improve its models from user interactions, it also ensures that conversations won’t be stored longer than 30 days and won’t appear on other devices.
A Strategic Move to Influence AI Policy?
The expansion of the ChatGPT app into Europe coincides with OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman’s meetings with key European heads of state, including France’s Emmanuel Macron and Rishi Sunak.
Altman, known for criticising rushed AI regulatory policy, might hope to sway their opinion by making the ChatGPT app more accessible across Europe.
Only time will reveal how successful the ChatGPT app will be in this new market, and whether its accessibility will influence AI regulatory policies.
For now, iOS users across the UK and 11 other countries have a new AI companion to explore.
