A major redesign is underway for ChatGPT. OpenAI wants to turn it into a super app that manages both work and personal life. Thibault Sottiaux leads the project, aiming for seamless integration with popular platforms.
OpenAI is moving to reinvent ChatGPT as a super app, aiming to make it a central digital assistant for both personal and professional needs. Under the direction of Thibault Sottiaux, who was named head of core products in 2024, the company is combining ChatGPT and Codex to create a single, powerful AI agent.
Sottiaux, previously instrumental in building Codex—one of OpenAI’s fastest-growing revenue drivers—now oversees the overhaul of a consumer product that reportedly serves nearly a billion weekly active users. The new super app is designed to remember user preferences, automate tasks like making dinner reservations, track allergens, and handle work assignments. Codex will power much of this functionality, enabling the app to write code, execute API calls, and browse the web behind the scenes.
Unlike Asian super apps such as WeChat, OpenAI’s approach is to integrate with existing services like Gmail, Instagram, credit cards, and Venmo, rather than building a closed ecosystem. The company is rolling out features incrementally to gather user feedback, and recent partnerships—including one with Visa for agentic payments—signal a push toward seamless, real-world utility.
Sottiaux, who joined OpenAI after stints at Google and DeepMind, acknowledges the challenge of helping users understand how to get the most from AI agents. He envisions a future where a single AI assistant helps individuals navigate every aspect of their lives. This vision reflects OpenAI’s ongoing strategy of bold, high-stakes bets in the competitive AI landscape.
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in everyday tools, some experts have raised concerns about the risks of default-on features and rapid deployment. For a closer look at how surprise AI rollouts can impact organizations, see this analysis of the risks of default-enabled AI in SaaS platforms.
OpenAI, founded in 2015, has grown rapidly to become a leading force in artificial intelligence. The company’s ChatGPT product reached over 100 million weekly active users within its first year, and OpenAI now employs more than 1,000 people worldwide. Its partnerships with major financial and technology firms have helped accelerate the adoption of AI-powered tools across industries.
