OpenAI Under Fire for App Suggestions Seen as Advertisements
OpenAI is experiencing backlash from users of its ChatGPT application following an unsolicited recommendation for the Peloton app during a conversation. This incident raised concerns among subscribers about the potential introduction of advertisements, even for those who pay for the $200 monthly Pro Plan. In response, OpenAI clarified that the suggestion was intended to showcase app discovery rather than serve as an advertisement.
Yuchen Jin, co-founder of the AI startup Hyberbolic, shared a screenshot on X that captured ChatGPT proposing the Peloton app during an unrelated discussion about a podcast featuring Elon Musk. The post rapidly gained traction, amassing nearly 462,000 views and sparking significant discussion about the appropriateness of such recommendations for paid subscribers.
Many users expressed frustration, noting that they shouldn’t encounter app suggestions when utilizing a premium service. One individual highlighted their experience of receiving persistent Spotify recommendations despite being an Apple Music user, further fueling the perception of intrusiveness.
Daniel McAuley, OpenAI’s data lead for ChatGPT, intervened in the conversation, asserting that the app suggestion was not tied to any financial arrangement. He acknowledged the suggestion’s lack of relevance to the ongoing dialogue and described it as a confusing experience. OpenAI is reportedly refining the app recommendation feature to enhance user satisfaction.
Although the company aims to provide pertinent app suggestions based on natural language queries, this incident raises questions about user engagement. The recommendation provided by ChatGPT was deemed irrelevant to the conversation context, making it a distraction rather than a valuable addition. Furthermore, unlike traditional advertising, users currently have no option to disable app suggestions, leading to increased feelings of intrusion.
This user dissatisfaction could pose challenges for OpenAI’s ambition to seamlessly integrate apps within ChatGPT, thereby transforming the user experience. Should this trend continue, users may seek alternative chatbots that do not include unsolicited app suggestions.
For now, ChatGPT apps remain accessible to users outside the EU, Switzerland, and the U.K., with ongoing pilot testing. OpenAI collaborates with various application developers, including Booking.com, Canva, and Coursera, as it navigates this evolving landscape.
