OpenAI has begun testing a feature that allows new users of ChatGPT to sign up with just a phone number, without requiring an email.
The feature, discovered by software engineer Tibor Blaho, is in beta in the US and India and allows users to sign up for an account on ChatGPT, OpenAI's AI-powered chatbot platform, by entering their number. can be created.
There are some limitations.
Users who create an account using their own number cannot upgrade to OpenAI's paid plans, such as ChatGPT Plus or ChatGPT Pro, unless they verify their account via email. Multi-factor authentication is also not supported without a valid email. Also, once a number is used for a ChatGPT account, it will be blocked from creating new accounts.
“Recycled or reused phone numbers are [an] Error,” OpenAI explains in a new Q&A page on its website. “There is no workaround at this time. You must contact support or wait for a future system update (scheduled for 2025) that may address this issue.”
OpenAI said it has no plans to introduce phone number sign-up to other regions.
In pursuit of growth, OpenAI has been experimenting with low-friction ways to get its products in front of people, specifically ChatGPT.
In December, OpenAI rolled out an experience that allows U.S.-based users to chat by phone with ChatGPT for 15 minutes a month for free. Around the same time, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT to WhatsApp with minimal functionality with a limited number of exchanges per day.
ChatGPT has over 300 million users every week. Collectively, they contribute billions of dollars to the company's coffers. OpenAI reportedly expects revenue of $3.7 billion in 2024, according to CNBC.
However, the company is far from profitability.
Despite raising more than $6.6 billion last year alone, OpenAI reportedly lost about $5 billion in fiscal 2024 thanks to expenses such as office rent, staffing, and AI training infrastructure. There is. The company is said to be considering raising prices on various subscription tiers (CEO Sam Altman recently said that OpenAI is losing money on its most expensive plans). , is said to be considering pay-as-you-go pricing for certain services.