OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed startup, announced it will enable users to access its ChatGPT generative AI chatbot without the need for sign-up, starting Monday.
ChatGPT boasts the ability to simulate human conversation and undertake various tasks, including summarizing lengthy texts, composing poetry, and brainstorming ideas for themed parties.
Based in San Francisco, OpenAI stated its intention to gradually introduce this free feature to make AI more accessible to individuals curious about its capabilities, Reuters news report said. OpenAI says more than 100 million people across 185 countries use ChatGPT weekly.
Despite initially experiencing rapid growth, with a record-breaking user base expansion, ChatGPT has observed a slowdown in growth since May 2023, when its traffic peaked at 1.8 billion web visits, according to data analytics firm Similarweb.
In response to concerns about content quality and safety, OpenAI noted that it has implemented additional safeguards for users accessing ChatGPT without sign-up, including blocking prompts and generating content in a wider range of categories, although specifics were not provided.
Apart from the free version of ChatGPT, which operates without direct internet access, OpenAI offers paid versions tailored for individual users, teams, and enterprises.
The company clarified that it may utilize content provided by users to enhance its large-language models but assured users they could opt out of this feature.
This development follows a lawsuit filed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging a departure from the technology startup’s original mission to develop artificial intelligence for the betterment of humanity rather than profit.
