WhatsApp users can now use their voice and images to prompt ChatGPT

5 February 2025, 13:14

Icon for ChatGPT seen on a smartphone screen
China DeepSeek AI. Picture: PA

OpenAI has expanded the capabilities of the basic version of the chatbot it has launched on WhatsApp.

Anyone using WhatsApp can now interact with ChatGPT using their voice and by uploading images to submit queries to the AI chatbot.

In December, developer OpenAI announced it was making ChatGPT accessible on WhatsApp through a dedicated phone number to give anyone in the world the opportunity to use the AI tool.

At the time, OpenAI said consistent access to high-speed data can be difficult and costly for many, and the new WhatsApp account would enable more people to try out ChatGPT through a familiar channel.

Now, as part of an update to the service, OpenAI said it was allowing voice and image inputs when contacting the chatbot on 1-800-242-8478, much like existing OpenAI account holders can on the chatbot’s dedicated app and website.

The logo and name of the technology company OpenAI which developed ChatGPT
OpenAI wants to get ChatGPT in front of more users (Alamy/PA)

In addition, the AI firm said it was also starting to roll out the ability for existing ChatGPT subscribers – including those on its free tier – to link their account to WhatsApp to get additional usage on the messaging platform.

OpenAI is pushing to get ChatGPT in front of more users as it looks to increase its revenue streams and keep investors in the start-up happy – Meta-owned WhatsApp has around two billion monthly active users worldwide.

It has expanded its subscriber options in recent months, including launching a 200 dollars-a-month (£159) subscription tier to access the very latest AI models it has developed.

The firm and its other big name US-based rivals such as Google’s Gemini are also facing a new challenge from China-based DeepSeek, which says it has developed AI models capable of matching ChatGPT’s competence for a fraction of the cost US firms have been operating with.

Last week, news of DeepSeek’s emergence on the scene sent US tech stocks and wider markets tumbling as the long-held view that developing cutting edge AI was a multi-billion dollar investment was upended by DeepSeek’s claim it had developed its latest model for less than 10 million dollars.

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

In this photo illustration, an Apple logo is seen displayed alongside the Google logo.

Tech giants Apple and Google 'profiting from phone thefts', MPs claim

A man's hands using a laptop keyboard

Scots warned of ‘scamdemic’ as £860,000 lost to cyber criminals in 12 months

A close up image of a The North Face fleece

North Face and Cartier customer data stolen in cyber attacks

Imagery of a Zilch payments card and a virtual card

Buy now pay later provider Zilch to launch first physical card

UK’s most EV-friendly city has been revealed by new research.

Cities with slowest EV charging times and least amount of chargers revealed

View of a VodafoneThree logo outside the firm's offices

Vodafone completes Three UK mega-merger to form ‘new force’ in mobile market

A hand holding a Monzo bank card and a mobile phone showing the Monzo app

Monzo annual profit surges as paying subscribers boost digital bank

Majestic British Airways Airbus A380 taking off from London Heathrow at sunset, amazing colors

UK airspace shake-up could slash journey times and cut flight delays for millions of passengers

File photo dated 30/05/25 of the saltmarsh at Abbotts Hall in Essex. Saltmarshes are 'significant' carbon stores, but are at risk from rising sea levels, new research reveals

UK's muddy saltmarshes vital to tackle climate change, report finds

Nigel Farage

Reform backs cryptocurrency tax cut as party receives first Bitcoin donations

Digital devices on office workplace table of young business woman

‘Young people and black workers at highest risk of workplace surveillance’

Debris from the Titan submersible, recovered from the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic, is unloaded from the ship Horizon Arctic at the Canadian Coast Guard pier in St. John's, Newfoundland, in June 2023

The shock household item discovered in 'sludge' of OceanGate sub wreckage

Google is facing a £25 billion legal claim in the UK, accusing the tech giant of abusing its dominant position in the online search advertising market

Google facing £25 billion legal claim over abuse of search advertising market

A hand holding a phone showing the Nvidia logo

Nvidia posts strong growth despite ongoing tariff challenges

Dinosaur fossils could hold the key to new cancer discoveries and influence future treatments for humans, scientists have said.

Dinosaur fossils with tumours could hold key to new cancer treatments for humans, scientists say

A SpaceX Starship spun out of control in a test flight

Elon Musk's SpaceX Starship spirals out of control before exploding in third consecutive mission failure