Models & LLMs

OpenAI Challenges App Store Model with AI-Driven Discovery

OpenAI is developing an alternative to the traditional app store model by integrating app discovery and usage within ChatGPT, aiming to disrupt how users interact with software.

TechCrunch AI Β· Sep 29, 2026

What happened

  • OpenAI is creating a new model for discovering and using apps through ChatGPT.
  • ChatGPT will suggest apps based on user conversations to help them complete tasks.
  • App developers can create AI-native versions of their apps through ChatGPT.

Why it matters

OpenAI's move to integrate app discovery within ChatGPT could shift how users access and use software, challenging the traditional app store model. This could lead to a new era where AI chatbots serve as central hubs for discovering and using applications, potentially changing user behavior and developer strategies.

The Elephant take

🐘 ιΌ‹ OpenAI is trying to turn ChatGPT into an app store, but it's not clear if this will work. The company is trying to make apps discoverable within the chatbot, which could be a big shift from the traditional app store model. It's an interesting experiment, but it's still early days.

Who should care

  • AI developers
  • App store operators
  • Tech investors
  • Users

What to do next

  1. Monitor OpenAI's progress in integrating apps into ChatGPT
  2. Evaluate how this new model affects user behavior
  3. Consider the implications for app development and distribution
  4. Stay informed about changes in AI-driven software discovery

Keep in mind

The success of OpenAI's new model depends on user adoption and developer participation. There are no guarantees that this approach will replace the traditional app store model.

Read the original reporting at TechCrunch AI β†—