Viber, OpenAI bring free ChatGPT to mobile Philippine app users
MANILA, Philippines — Messaging service Rakuten Viber teamed up with OpenAI to allow Philippine users to access the artificial intelligence company's chatbot ChatGPT for free without having to leave the Viber app.
Viber users in the country can can now use ChatGPT-powered tools at no extra cost. The service is currently available to the latest versions of iOS and Android, with desktop support to follow.
There will now be a dedicated tab for ChatGPT on the Viber app. An existing ChatGPT account is not required but having one offers more features like Image Remix.
The AI chatbot can also be included in private or group chats to offer suggestions and answers, and all involved in the chat can respond to what is provided.
These responses will be visually distinct from users' messages making it clear if a message if generated by the chatbot. No context from a conversation will be accessed by ChatGPT, only the specific message shared with it.
ChatGPT Images will allow users to edit and personalize photos directly in all chats, with several ready-made templates already prepared.
The chatbot can summarize key points from shared articles, blog posts, or documents with one tap, a feature enabled by default in group chats. Private summaries of a conversation visible only to indiviudual users will also be offered.
A pen icon in either any chat, community, or channel except comment threads can rewrite messages for clarity and conciseness without other people knowing, including translations.
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Rakuten Viber's chief executive officer Ofir Eyal said in a statement that the messaging service wants to make daily communication easier and more creative.
"Partnering with OpenAI means we can bring ChatGPT to our users in the Philippines to add real, day-to-day value — even if they would never have sought it out on their own," he added. "Whether you're drafting the perfect message, remixing an image, or just exploring a new idea, this is now built into the app people already use every day."
Open AI's global business development head and vice president Torben Severson pointed out that much of everyday life happens via messaging.
"With ChatGPT in Viber, people can get helpful, creative support right in the moment, from finding the right words to catching up on busy chats or remixing a photo," Severson said, expressing excitement to partner with Rakuten Viber.
The ChatGPT in Viber feature is operated by OpenAI under its Terms and Privacy Policy. Similarly ChatGPT-powered features are subject to OpenAI's Usage Policies and content may be reviewed for safety.
Any user who connects their ChatGPT account will be linking their ChatGPT in Viber activity to said account and are subject to OpenAI's standard retention policies.
OpenAI will only process specific texts, images,or requests users choose to send — never account data or an entire chat. Such data is retained for only a limited time and is not shared or used to train other OpenAI models.
