AI WANT TO CHAT! I Tried Calling ChatGPT’s New Phone Number – It’s Free, Feels Like Talking to a Human, But There’s a Big Catch

I just picked up the phone and called ChatGPT.

No, not the company behind the chatbot, but the chatbot itself – and it’s surprisingly available on a real, old-school phone line. In a quirky mix of the past and future, OpenAI has launched an "experimental" service where ChatGPT is now accessible through a phone number.

For now, the service is available in the U.S. only – just dial 1-800-ChatGPT (or 1-800-242-8478) and you’ll be connected to an AI that sounds incredibly lifelike. Sorry, no luck for those in the UK just yet.

The experience feels a lot like you’ve dialed into one of those automated customer service lines, but then something strange happens: it quickly feels as though you’re chatting with an actual person. Sure, the voice is a bit too cheerful, especially for someone handling potentially endless calls all day, but it’s impressively convincing.

The call starts with a standard disclaimer, warning that the conversation might be reviewed for safety purposes. So, if you're planning on sharing any deeply personal secrets, you might want to think twice – someone at OpenAI could be listening in.

Curious about how it feels to be a phone number, I asked ChatGPT what it thought about the switch from text to voice. “It's quite the adventure,” it said, its voice warm and friendly. “Switching from text to voice lets me connect in a whole new way. It makes our conversation feel more personal.” And honestly, it does!

I then asked what people are typically using this new phone line for, and how it compares to texting. ChatGPT enthusiastically replied: “People ask me all sorts of things – from tech support to setting reminders, answering trivia questions, or even just chatting.”

It went on to share that some callers use the service to practice languages, and that it can speak a variety of languages including French, Chinese, Finnish, and even Swahili. Pretty impressive, right?

Of course, I had to ask for a joke – because why not? ChatGPT delivered with: “Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts.” It’s not exactly stand-up comedy material, but it’s a decent chuckle and a reminder that this AI isn’t just for answering questions. It’s a small, fun way to interact, like chatting with a friend.

Now, I’ll be honest – I’m not someone who loves spending hours on the phone. But I can see the appeal for people who might find it easier to just dial a number and talk, rather than downloading an app and typing messages. Plus, for individuals who don’t have much social interaction, this could be a simple way to feel less isolated.

However, there’s a major downside to this service: time limits. You’re only allowed to chat for 15 minutes for free, and that’s per phone number each month. After that, you’re cut off. It’s not much time if you were hoping for a long conversation, and it’s easy to imagine that some people might be disappointed when the call ends abruptly.

Still, even with the 15-minute cap, the idea of having a free, easy-to-access AI conversation could be a game-changer for some – especially for those who need a quick answer or just want a brief, friendly chat. The technology feels surprisingly personal and could offer a comforting connection, even if it’s just for a short while.

So, while the time limit might be a bummer, the concept of chatting with an AI over the phone is definitely intriguing, and I’m curious to see where it goes next. For now, though, it’s a fun experiment – and a unique way to interact with one of the most advanced chatbots out there.