OpenAI works on collaborative tools, referral programs, and native image generation

OpenAI is reportedly developing several new features aimed at expanding its product capabilities and user engagement. These updates suggest a focus on collaborative tools, referral incentives, and advanced AI functionality, aligning with broader trends in the AI industry.

The first feature, "Collaborative Projects," will allow users on team and enterprise plans to collaborate within shared workspaces. This functionality includes a new tooltip to guide users when the feature becomes available and a dedicated button to invite others to join projects. The feature appears designed to support organizational workflows, likely positioning ChatGPT as a central tool for team-based tasks and knowledge sharing. With the rise of collaborative AI workspaces across industries, this addition could make OpenAI's offerings more competitive in professional environments.

The second feature involves a referral program targeting individual users, particularly students. A new "Referrals" tab in the settings menu will allow users to generate and share referral links. The system will track the success of these referrals by displaying metrics such as how many users signed up for ChatGPT Plus using the shared link. Updates to related help articles indicate that users must visit a specific link containing the referral code to claim it. While details on the full rollout remain unclear, this program could help OpenAI expand its user base, especially among younger demographics.

Additionally, OpenAI appears to be advancing its work on native image output for GPT-4o. This feature has been anticipated for over eight months and may be released soon, particularly in light of Google's recent launch of native image output for its Gemini model in AI Studio. Such functionality would enable GPT-4o to generate images directly within conversations, enhancing its utility for creative and professional use cases.

These developments reflect OpenAI's broader strategy of diversifying its product ChatGPT to meet both individual and organizational needs while keeping pace with competitors like Google. If implemented effectively, these updates could solidify OpenAI's position as a leader in AI-powered tools for both personal and professional use cases.