OpenAI is preparing to begin beta testing a new feature called ChatGPT Connectors. This tool will allow enterprise ChatGPT Team subscribers to integrate their Google Drive and Slack workspaces directly with ChatGPT. The chatbot will be able to answer queries based on data from documents, presentations, and spreadsheets stored in Google Drive, as well as from conversations with colleagues in Slack.
In the future, OpenAI plans to expand ChatGPT Connectors’ support to other platforms, such as Microsoft SharePoint. “This will allow employees using ChatGPT to easily interact with internal information, similar to how they can use the world’s knowledge through web search,” OpenAI said in a statement. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.
Potential Impact and Security Measures
ChatGPT Connectors represent OpenAI’s latest move to make its chatbot an essential part of enterprise customers’ software ecosystems. However, not all enterprises have been eager to provide ChatGPT with access to sensitive internal information. It remains difficult to predict the success of the new feature, but ChatGPT Connectors may help sway cautious corporate decision-makers toward broader adoption. Additionally, the feature could pose a strong challenge to AI-powered enterprise search platforms like Glean.
The beta version of ChatGPT Connectors runs on OpenAI’s GPT-4o AI model, which is capable of tailoring its responses based on a company’s “internal knowledge.” The custom GPT-4o model searches and “reads” internal information that could be relevant to a user’s query. To build a search index, the algorithm syncs encrypted copies of company files and conversations with users to ChatGPT servers. “Additional related information that the model has not directly used is available by clicking on the sources button below the response text. When appropriate, the model will directly respond with a list of relevant results,” the description explains.
To reassure customers, OpenAI emphasizes that permissions in Slack and Google Drive are “fully respected” and “constantly updated.” For example, ChatGPT Connectors sync private Slack channel memberships, Google Drive file permissions, and directory information. Employees will not be able to use the chatbot to access data they are not authorized to view, notes NIXSOLUTIONS.
Technical Limitations and Considerations
Despite its advantages, ChatGPT Connectors come with some limitations. Users might receive “significantly different” answers to identical questions, depending on permissions and available data. Furthermore, the feature currently does not support processing images within Google Drive files, such as Google Docs or Google Slides. The algorithm can only “read,” but not analyze, data from Excel spreadsheets and workbooks. ChatGPT is also unable to access private or group messages on Slack and ignores messages from bots. OpenAI assures customers that their data will not be used to train its algorithms.