OpenAI is quietly changing how we may log in to a number of apps and services in the near future. The phenomenal growth of ChatGPT, with about 600 million users monthly and counting, has prompted OpenAI to test a new verification system that could shift the balance of power in sign-on from Big Tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft to the next generation of tech companies.
Recently, OpenAI launched a form for developers who are interested, to gauge potential partners for what could be a revolutionary mobile device login tool. If successful, users could then sign into third-party platforms using ChatGPT, creating a seamless integrated login experience.
Why Is OpenAI Doing This?
The decision is a tactical one. Accepting ChatGPT as your primary authentication mechanism has considerable benefits for both OpenAI and you. And with ChatGPT now routinely used by millions of people, OpenAI possesses a powerful position in the tech ecosystem. If OpenAI achieves a trusted authentication system based on the usage of ChatGPT, the possibilities of what that unlocks is far reaching not solely for users but also companies and developers who want to offer smarter UI experiences integrated with users’ AI activities.
And this isn’t just about making your life easier, it’s about holding a greater share of the digital identity space. Apple has “Sign in with Apple.” Google has “Sign in with Google.” Facebook has “Log in with Facebook.” OpenAI now wants a “Sign in with ChatGPT” option.
Early Testing Already Underway
OpenAI has already tried this idea out in smaller ways – they released Codex CLI, a command-line tool for developers, which allowed access to their API services using ChatGPT credentials. They also provided developers with incentives $5 in credits for Plus subscribers and $50 for Pro users to experiment.
Not only did this preview an exciting new tool, but it established how tightly ChatGPT accounts may be woven into OpenAI’s larger ecosystem.
What’s in the Developer Interest Form?
The OpenAI form is a real blanket outreach, appealing to not only all small startups with less than 1,000 weekly users, but also large companies who have
100M+. The questions in the form span across existing AI strategy, current API usage, and plans to add authentication to existing systems.
It’s very clear what OpenAI is doing here. They are not just piloting a product – they are establishing early infrastructure for a strategic ecosystem with ChatGPT at its center.
Beyond Chat: A Bigger Strategy
This is an expansion, not a pivot. While ChatGPT started as a chat-based application, OpenAI has been gradually expanding into new verticals. Having already explored e-commerce and social media integrations, as well as consumer hardware, OpenAI has a vested interest in how its technology can permeate all aspects of how users interact digitally in their day-to-day lives.
A single sign-on system is an example of the kind of infrastructure that can simplify broad adoption. It provides a simpler approach to how users interact with applications and how services manage identity and data. It also gives developers a map for developing richer, AI-supported user experiences without having to rebuild their back end.
What’s Next?
So far, OpenAI has yet to share a public launch date for the ChatGPT sign-in system, or how many companies have signed up to use it. However, the presence of the sign-in form, preliminary testing, and comments made by Altman about the release in 2024 suggests that the project is in transition from idea to reality. If successful, “Sign in with ChatGPT” could shift the paradigm around how we think about online identity; and it could act as a model for how we think about user authentication in the future by marrying user convenience with smart AI and further personalization.
Conclusion
When OpenAI decided to alpha test a ChatGPT-based authentication system, it was more than an experiment—it was the first deliberate step into the identity layer of the internet. With millions of active users, proprietary API tools, and a clear roadmap, OpenAI is making a definitive statement about the future of digital access.
If you want more content like this, visit Digital Broo where we keep you updated on the most interesting in AI, technology, and digital strategy.