According to a report by The Information, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is considering creating a marketplace for AI models.

This AI “app store” would allow companies to buy and sell custom bots tailored to specific needs.

The goal is to make advanced chatbots more useful across industries.

Companies could use these chatbots for various purposes, such as providing quick answers to industry-specific questions using up-to-date data.

Potential Competition and Opportunities

OpenAI’s rumored marketplace could compete with its current partners like Salesforce and Microsoft, who run their own businesses selling AI chatbots powered by OpenAI’s technology.

However, opening its own marketplace could allow OpenAI to distribute its tools to many more customers and give it an edge over rival AI companies Anthropic and Cohere.

The move highlights the tensions that can arise between technology partners as they become competitors.

While OpenAI currently relies on the likes of Salesforce and Microsoft to expand its reach, the startup may feel ready to sell its tools directly and make more profit.

The Information reports that CEO Sam Altman has told developers about plans for an AI marketplace, but the company says there are no active efforts to build one.

Early interest in a ChatGPT app store

Already in the concept phase, the marketplace proposed by OpenAI aroused the interest of two companies – Aquant and Khan Academy.

Aquant, a provider of software for guiding customers through device repairs, modified OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot using data from customer support tickets and employee feedback.

Now Aquant is offering this bespoke chatbot on the Salesforce AppExchange and ServiceNow store and would consider an OpenAI marketplace to reach even more customers.

Khan Academy, a non-profit organization focused on education, has also developed its own version of ChatGPT called Khanmigo to act as an AI tutor for teachers and students.

Khan Academy optimized the chatbot using material from exam prep and academic offerings, and added filters to prevent cheating and ensure appropriate classroom responses.

The organization is looking into ways to further distribute Khanmigo, possibly through an OpenAI store.

Lessons from previous initiatives

Earlier this year, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT plugins that allow users to interact with sites like OpenTable, Shopify, or Expedia.

However, these plugins are not very popular, which underlines the need for further product development and market research.

For an AI app store to appeal to enterprise customers, OpenAI must provide a pragmatically useful solution for industries like retail, finance, healthcare, and others.

App Store offerings must address critical tasks, integrate with organizations’ existing systems, and generate business value that justifies purchase over established alternatives.

Finally

OpenAI may be tempted by the ability to control the spread and commercialization of its technology.

However, the premature launch of a full-scale AI marketplace could result in company fragmentation and alienated partners, putting important relationships at risk.

For a company defining its place in the market, improving its core offering may be the smartest move before creating a new distribution channel.

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