OpenAI Enhances ChatGPT Functionality on WhatsApp with Voice and Image Inputs

Users can now engage with the AI chatbot using voice commands and images, broadening access through the widely-used messaging platform.

On February 5, 2025, OpenAI announced an enhancement to its ChatGPT service on WhatsApp, allowing users to interact with the chatbot using voice commands and by uploading images.

This update builds on the initial rollout of ChatGPT on WhatsApp, first introduced in December 2024, where OpenAI sought to provide easier access to AI tools through a widely utilized communication platform.

According to OpenAI, WhatsApp users can access the service through the dedicated phone number 1-800-242-8478. The integration aims to reach users in regions where consistent access to high-speed internet is challenging, thus leveraging the familiarity and accessibility of WhatsApp as a medium for AI interaction.

The latest update also enables existing subscribers of ChatGPT, including those on its free tier, to link their accounts to WhatsApp, thereby increasing their interaction limits on the messaging service.

This move is part of OpenAI's broader strategy to engage a larger user base and enhance its revenue streams in a competitive market.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, boasts approximately two billion monthly active users globally, representing a significant opportunity for OpenAI to increase its visibility and user engagement.

Recently, OpenAI has introduced a new subscription service priced at $200 per month, providing access to the latest AI models, further diversifying its offerings.

In addition to these developments, OpenAI faces competitive pressure from other technology firms, notably from the Chinese company DeepSeek, which has claimed to develop AI models that are comparable to ChatGPT at a considerably lower cost.

This revelation has raised questions about the cost dynamics of AI development, with DeepSeek asserting that its latest model was created for under $10 million.

The entry of DeepSeek into the AI landscape has led to notable fluctuations in US tech stocks, challenging the perception that advanced AI development requires multi-billion-dollar investments.