OpenAI is set to roll out beta testing for ChatGPT Connectors, a new feature designed to integrate popular workplace applications such as Slack and Google Drive with ChatGPT. The feature, aimed at businesses and ChatGPT Team subscribers, will enable the chatbot to access and analyze internal files, presentations, spreadsheets, and Slack conversations to provide more informed responses.
According to internal documents, ChatGPT Connectors will streamline workflows by leveraging company-specific data, much like how ChatGPT retrieves general world knowledge through web searches. OpenAI plans to expand compatibility to additional platforms, including Microsoft SharePoint and Box, in the future.
“This will allow employees using ChatGPT to easily make use of internal information similar to how they can use world knowledge via web search,” the document states.
To address privacy concerns, OpenAI has emphasized that permissions for Google Drive and Slack will be fully respected, ensuring that employees can only access content they are authorized to view. Encrypted copies of company files will be synced to ChatGPT’s servers for indexing, but OpenAI assures that this data will not be used for model training.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the tool comes with some limitations. It cannot analyze images in Google Drive files, and it is restricted from accessing Slack direct messages and group conversations. Administrators will retain control over which files and channels are synced with ChatGPT.
Powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, ChatGPT Connectors seeks to make AI a more integral part of business operations. By refining responses using internal company knowledge, the tool could challenge other AI-powered enterprise search solutions like Glean.
OpenAI is inviting companies to participate in the beta testing by providing sample datasets, including documents and conversations, to assess the feature’s effectiveness.
With this latest development, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as a key workplace AI tool while maintaining a strong emphasis on data security and privacy.