OpenAI announced Apps SDK which allows developers to integrate apps into ChatGPT.
ChatGPT owns the main thread and dispatches to special connectors (embedded apps in ChatGPT) using metadata.
The most interesting part of the announcement is this Optimize Metadata guide.
The developer provides metadata for a collection of tools:
- Name
- Description
- Parameter docs
- Read-only hint
If we use Google search as an analogy, metadata is like keywords that a search engine crawler derives from content and indexes it for user queries later.
The difference (and perhaps a glimpse into the future) is that it’s “organic” (e.g. no bidding on prompts) and there is no visibility into how OpenAI “ranks” tools. How will OpenAI decide which conector to call when the user prompts “apartments to rent” when Zillow, Redfin, and Apartment List all have the similar metadata?
It’s pretty clear OpenAI won’t be doing this for free. Unlike the GPT marketplace, the Apps SDK can create substantial value on the backs of third-party developers and middle manning access to users. Monetizing access to users could be a combination of Apple app store style revenue share, advertising, and prompt bidding.