OpenAI’s Nick Turley On Transforming ChatGPT Into An Operating System
When OpenAI’s Nick Turley joined the company in 2022 as the head of ChatGPT, his mission was to turn OpenAI’s groundbreaking research into a global product. Three years later, he’s achieved remarkable success — ChatGPT now boasts over 800 million weekly active users. But Turley isn’t stopping there. His next goal is even more ambitious: transforming ChatGPT into an operating system built around third-party apps and deep integration.
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A Vision Beyond Chatbots
In an exclusive conversation during OpenAI’s developer conference at Fort Mason in San Francisco, Turley outlined his bold vision. ChatGPT, he believes, is evolving far beyond a chatbot — it’s becoming a digital platform where users can work, create, and connect.
Turley draws inspiration from web browsers, which over time became pseudo–operating systems. Just as browsers like Chrome and Safari became the central hub for work and productivity through web apps, ChatGPT could become the next-generation workspace — intelligent, adaptive, and app-driven.
The Future: ChatGPT As A Digital OS
When asked about OpenAI’s rumored browser project, Turley didn’t confirm or deny it but admitted that browsers are “really interesting.” That curiosity hints at a broader ecosystem vision — one that could blend AI, hardware, and third-party software into a seamless user experience.
OpenAI’s collaboration with Jony Ive and a team of former Apple designers supports this direction. Together, they’re reportedly developing a new family of hardware devices that could integrate with ChatGPT’s evolving system. Imagine using ChatGPT not just on a screen, but as an AI-powered operating system across devices — personal, intuitive, and deeply connected.
Learning From The Past: Plugins To Apps
This isn’t OpenAI’s first attempt to turn ChatGPT into a platform. Back in 2023, the company experimented with ChatGPT Plugins and later the GPT Store — both early steps toward an “AI app store.” While those initiatives struggled to scale, Turley believes the new app ecosystem will finally realize that vision, thanks to better integration, user experience, and developer incentives.
A New Era Of AI-Powered Apps
The transformation of ChatGPT into an operating system opens new doors for businesses. Imagine booking a ride with Uber, ordering from DoorDash, or planning travel with Expedia — all inside ChatGPT, powered by natural conversation.
These apps aren’t buried in menus or stores; they’re embedded directly into ChatGPT’s core experience. For developers, this means access to millions of daily users. For OpenAI, it means more transactions, more engagement, and a powerful new revenue model.
Why Developers Are Paying Attention
Turley’s approach makes ChatGPT not just a tool but a platform for innovation. Developers can build interactive AI apps that blend seamlessly into user chats — whether for shopping, productivity, or entertainment. With 800 million users already inside the ChatGPT ecosystem, the potential reach is massive.
This could be OpenAI’s most compelling developer pitch yet: build once, reach the world through an intelligent conversational interface that doubles as an operating system.
From AI Chat To AI OS
OpenAI’s Nick Turley is redefining what ChatGPT can be — not just an assistant, but a foundational layer of computing. If the company succeeds, ChatGPT might become the next major operating system — one that powers your work, your apps, and maybe even your devices.
The line between app and conversation is blurring fast, and Turley’s vision could make ChatGPT the platform that brings them together.
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