ChatGPT Just Got a Brand-New Feature That Has Nothing to Do with AI

OpenAI is about to roll out a new feature for ChatGPT that could transform how we manage our digital lives—and it has nothing to do with artificial intelligence.

Since launching in late 2022, ChatGPT has become one of the most widely used digital tools in the world, surpassing 600 million active monthly users by 2025. OpenAI’s conversational AI has quickly entrenched itself in the daily routines of millions. But now, OpenAI is preparing to take ChatGPT to the next level by introducing a feature that seems to be a departure from the AI-driven core of the platform. The company is exploring the idea of turning ChatGPT into a digital identity provider, enabling users to log in to third-party websites and apps using their ChatGPT account.

This move could change the way we interact with the internet—and it’s not just about making our online lives more convenient. It’s a strategic shift that could disrupt how digital identities are managed on the web.

ChatGPT as a Digital Identity

Imagine being able to use your ChatGPT login to access services across the web, just as you might today with Google, Apple, or Meta accounts. This functionality is currently in the testing phase for developers, but the potential impact of this shift is significant. OpenAI is exploring the idea of single sign-on (SSO), which is a standard system on the internet that allows users to access multiple platforms without needing to remember different passwords or credentials for each one.

By making ChatGPT a universal digital identity provider, OpenAI hopes to place its tool at the very center of users’ digital lives. This would not only encourage loyalty to ChatGPT, but it could also increase the platform’s visibility and influence, especially as AI integration continues to grow in everyday apps. In essence, ChatGPT would move beyond being a chatbot and become a key part of the way we interact with the internet.

A Project Already in Testing

OpenAI has already begun testing this new feature with developers, offering incentives like API credits to encourage adoption among ChatGPT Plus and Pro users. However, the rollout is still in its early stages. OpenAI is gauging demand and fine-tuning the feature before deciding on a broader launch. The aim, however, is clear: OpenAI wants ChatGPT to become a trusted identity provider in the same league as the internet’s biggest players.

This initiative could drastically simplify how users access third-party services. Imagine logging into websites using a single, secure ID that not only acts as a password manager but also verifies your age—useful for sites that require you to be a certain age or for services with age restrictions. ChatGPT’s role in this would allow it to serve multiple functions in the online world, from security to user convenience.

The Bigger Trend and the Road Ahead

The idea of using a universal digital identity provider is part of a larger trend. With privacy concerns and digital security becoming more important, users are looking for ways to streamline their online interactions while keeping their data safe. If OpenAI’s initiative gains traction, it could be a game-changer, shifting how people think about their digital identity and access across the web.

But challenges remain. For one, OpenAI will need to compete with well-established services like Google, Apple, and Facebook, who are already deeply embedded in the identity management space. The company will also have to earn user trust, especially considering how much personal data people would be willing to share with the creators of a powerful AI tool. The question remains: Will users be comfortable letting OpenAI take on this important role in their digital life management?

As the project moves forward, only time will tell if ChatGPT can rise to the occasion and become the dominant identity provider in a market already crowded with competitors. But if it works, this feature could be the next big step in the evolution of digital services.

The addition of a digital identity feature for ChatGPT could fundamentally alter how we access the internet. This exciting new development may not only make online services easier to navigate but could also enhance the trust and security of the tools we rely on every day. As OpenAI continues to innovate, it’s clear that the future of ChatGPT could stretch far beyond what we ever imagined.