OpenAI launched an Apple Messages plugin for ChatGPT desktop. Connect your Messages inbox and ChatGPT can read, search, and analyze your iMessage, SMS, and RCS conversations, draft replies, delete messages, and send texts on your behalf through the Messages app.
The plugin is available on all ChatGPT plans, and it only runs in the desktop app on Apple silicon Macs. OpenAI’s own documentation says it works in ChatGPT Work and Codex, that it “doesn’t work in regular ChatGPT chats,” and that it does not let you interact with ChatGPT remotely through Messages. This is a desktop agent with access to your texting history, and it operates from your machine. OpenAI said the plugin runs locally on your machine and “doesn’t create an index of all someone’s messages.” Read the privacy policy before you jump into this one.
By default, ChatGPT sends a message only after you approve the content and the recipients. You can skip that confirmation on a per-conversation basis, and OpenAI’s plugin guide warns that turning on persistent approval “removes your final chance to review a message before ChatGPT sends it as you.” The release notes also point readers to a known issue with tasks that disable approval prompts.
“Sends it as you” is OpenAI’s phrase, and it is the accurate one. The recipient sees your name, your bubble, and your relationship, with no signal that software wrote the words. What could possibly go wrong?
Every company needs a Claw strategy. Do you have one?
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it. This work was created with the assistance of various generative AI models.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.