OpenAI's ChatGPT Can Now Be Used Without An Account, But Here's The Catch

OpenAI has announced that users can now access its renowned AI chatbot, ChatGPT, for free, without the need to create an account.

In addition to accessing advanced versions like GPT-4 Turbo, users will have to create an account for features like saving and reviewing chat history. ( Image Source :Getty )

OpenAI has announced that users can now access its renowned AI chatbot, ChatGPT, for free, without the need to create an account. OpenAI-owned ChatGPT, since its inception in 2022, has evolved significantly and it is now used by millions worldwide. Initially recognised for its human-like responses, the artificial intelligence AI tool has seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of many users. After over a year since its introduction, OpenAI has decided to extend access to the tool to all users, even those without an account. Previously, creating an account was mandatory to interact with ChatGPT, but this requirement has been lifted, allowing for easy utilisation of the AI tool without the hassle of registration.

However, there is a caveat to this newfound ability.

Although the free version of ChatGPT, powered by GPT-3.5, can be accessed without requiring an account, users will need to invest in an account with OpenAI to utilise the advanced version of the chatbot, GPT-4 Turbo. Notably, GPT-3.5 is more prone to errors or inaccuracies compared to its premium counterpart.

"It's core to our mission to make tools like ChatGPT broadly available so that people can experience the benefits of AI. More than 100 million people across 185 countries use ChatGPT weekly to learn something new, find creative inspiration, and get answers to their questions. Starting today, you can use ChatGPT instantly, without needing to sign-up. We're rolling this out gradually, with the aim to make AI accessible to anyone curious about its capabilities," the company wrote in a blog post.

In addition to accessing advanced versions like GPT-4 Turbo, users will have to create an account for features like saving and reviewing chat history, sharing chats, and utilising extras like voice conversations and custom instructions. The Sam Altman-led company is also implementing extra content protections for unregistered users, including the ability to block requests for a broader spectrum of categories.

Since its debut in late 2022, users previously had to register on the platform to interact with the generative AI chatbot. Furthermore, OpenAI has introduced a subscription model for some of its premium products, including GPT-4 Turbo and DALL-E 3. 

Since its inception, ChatGPT has risen to become the world's most utilised artificial intelligence product, boasting approximately 1.6 billion visitors in February, as per SimilarWeb data.

Nevertheless, competition for ChatGPT has begun to surface from Google's Gemini and Anthropic, backed by retail giant Amazon, both of which have introduced AI models capable of rivaling OpenAI's cutting-edge technology. With the introduction of the new login-free experience, OpenAI might be aiming to attract more traffic to its website.