OpenAI Introduces Plugins to Expand ChatGPT Capabilities and Access
OpenAI launches a new plugin system for ChatGPT that connects the AI to live web data and external services like Expedia and Instacart. The feature aims to reduce AI hallucinations and allows the chatbot to perform actions beyond text generation.
OpenAI introduces a new plugin feature for ChatGPT that allows developers to extend the chatbot with external data and capabilities. Initially available to a small set of users and ChatGPT Plus customers, this update breaks the AI out of its original training dataset. A default OpenAI plugin uses Bing to retrieve live web information, which helps the system answer questions it previously could not process.
This plugin system directly addresses several major challenges associated with large language models, such as hallucinations, tracking recent events, and accessing proprietary information sources. Additionally, the feature expands ChatGPT's utility beyond simple text generation by allowing it to execute real-world actions. For example, an online retailer could use a plugin to let the chatbot place orders on behalf of users.
Nearly a dozen companies debut plugins alongside this launch to showcase the technology's practical applications. Instacart enables ChatGPT to order groceries, while Expedia and OpenTable provide AI-assisted travel planning and restaurant recommendations. OpenAI also releases a Python interpreter plugin to execute code, and the company states it actively tests the system for potential misuse while inviting outside researchers to provide safety feedback.