OpenAI Mulls Over Creation of an AI Model Marketplace
OpenAI, the AI powerhouse behind the popular ChatGPT, is reportedly contemplating the development of an ‘app store’ specifically designed for AI models. This information, as reported by The Information, indicates the firm’s ambition to extend its customer base and create a hub for buying and selling custom-made bots, each tailored to cater to distinct requirements.
The establishment of such a marketplace could lead to a major shift in the industry, potentially placing OpenAI in direct competition with its present partners and pushing the boundaries of AI utilization across various sectors.
Purpose of the AI App Store
The principal objective of the proposed AI ‘app store’ is to enhance the accessibility and utility of advanced chatbots across a broad spectrum of industries. The marketplace would enable businesses to purchase AI chatbots designed to quickly respond to industry-specific queries based on the most recent data.
A New Contender in the Arena?
The creation of its own marketplace would inevitably pit OpenAI against its current partners, including tech giants such as Salesforce and Microsoft, who already run their own stores for selling AI chatbots constructed using OpenAI’s technology.
However, this could also present an opportunity for OpenAI to broaden its customer base and seize a competitive edge against rival AI firms such as Anthropic and Cohere.
As the lines between partners and competitors blur, tensions within the tech world may heighten. While OpenAI has, up until now, relied on firms like Salesforce and Microsoft for market reach, the firm could be positioning itself to sell its tools directly, thereby retaining a larger share of profits.
The ChatGPT ‘App Store’ Garners Preliminary Interest
Despite being at a conceptual phase, OpenAI’s proposed marketplace has already garnered interest from two notable companies, Aquant and Khan Academy.
Aquant, a software provider for customer device repairs, has adapted OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot using data from customer support tickets and employee feedback. The company currently offers this personalized chatbot on the Salesforce AppExchange and ServiceNow Store and could potentially extend its reach via an OpenAI marketplace.
Khan Academy, an education-centered non-profit, has developed a unique version of ChatGPT, termed Khanmigo, to function as an AI tutor for teachers and students. The organization has modified the chatbot using material from its test preparation and academic offerings and implemented filters to deter cheating and ensure appropriate responses in an academic setting. Khan Academy is exploring options to distribute Khanmigo more extensively, possibly through the proposed OpenAI store.
Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
OpenAI’s recent launch of ChatGPT plugins for websites like OpenTable, Shopify, or Expedia highlights the necessity of further product development and market research. To resonate with corporate customers, the AI app store must present a practical solution for diverse industries, such as retail, finance, healthcare, and more.
Ultimately, while the allure of controlling the distribution and commercialization of its technology may be compelling, OpenAI must tread cautiously. A premature launch of a full-scale AI marketplace could risk straining key relationships and spreading company resources thin. In the long run, refining its core offering might prove to be the most prudent course of action before diving into new distribution avenues.
