"OpenAI isn't just opening up ChatGPT for app developers, it's looking to turn today's leading chatbot into tomorrow's operating system," said our analyst Marcus Johnson on a recent episode of "Behind the Numbers."

This strategic shift puts OpenAI in direct competition with traditional operating systems and search engines, potentially disrupting how users interact with technology and access information online.

How ChatGPT as an operating system works

The new ChatGPT platform allows users to interact with third-party apps directly within conversations. For example, users can prompt Canva to create marketing materials, then seamlessly switch to asking Zillow to show properties in a specific location, all without leaving the ChatGPT interface.

"It puts apps directly in ChatGPT's responses and lets users call up third-party tools in their everyday conversations," our analysts noted

"Imagine your phone or laptop, but instead of everything being built around apps or icons, it's around just a really capable AI that's running the show," said our analyst Grace Harmon.

The platform will put apps directly in ChatGPT's responses and allows users to bring third-party tools into their conversations. This approach mirrors the super app model popularized by WeChat in China, but with key differences.

"WeChat was established during an era where there wasn't really vibrant internet in China. People mostly were connecting through phones," said our analyst Yory Wurmser. "OpenAI is coming into an ecosystem which is a lot more developed. The web is still going to continue, apps are still going to continue."

Which apps will thrive?

Productivity tools and specialized information providers are likely to be the first successful integrations in ChatGPT's operating system, analysts say.

"I think there's going to be a really big focus on productivity and basically the ones that can act like mini experts," said Harmon, highlighting schedules, trip planners, finance apps, and "Tools that can handle a specific task and then use AI for the heavy lifting."

The most transformative potential lies in connecting with real-world contexts.

"The bigger part is going to be when they're able to start connecting with real world contacts, so your camera, your voice, your location…," said Harmon. "Maybe it can remind you to leave early because of traffic on your way to work or summarize your inbox before you open it."

Google on the back foot?

Despite the ambitious vision, our analysts believe the shift away from traditional search engines will be gradual rather than revolutionary.

"It'll disrupt Google's current business model, but I think they're also pretty well positioned to be one of the winners in the new model as well," said Wurmser. "Google as a company may actually do very well, but the old CPC model might be significantly disrupted by the end of 2026."

Google is likely to respond by better integrating its own apps into its AI offerings. "It already has a little bit, but I think much better maps integration, much better shopping integration is a no-brainer for Google," said Wurmser.

Consumers' AI devices

This shift toward AI-centric operating systems could reshape the consumer device landscape, potentially challenging Apple's dominance.

"I think AI voice-based devices are going to completely run on these AI operating systems," Wurmser said. "Cars, smart glasses are really going to work heavily with these AI interfaces, not just through voice, but through hand motions and things like that."

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses demonstrate growing consumer interest in new form factors.

"If you're looking at how the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are selling, they're really selling," said Harmon. "There is, I think, a lot of demand for these new devices where it's central in conversation instead of touching and swiping…Over time people are going to start choosing their device not just based on camera or processor, but about who has the AI ecosystem in the system that they prefer the most."

Listen to the full episode.

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