Users in the US receive 15 minutes of voice access monthly; limits and features may evolve over time.

OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT can now be accessed through call or sending a WhatsApp text message, with the feature even able to be used on flip phones and landlines.

"You can now talk to ChatGPT by calling 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478) in the U.S. or by sending a WhatsApp message to the same number -- available everywhere ChatGPT is," the company stated on X.

This comes as part of the '12 Days of OpenAI' pre-Christmas celebrations, with each day revealing a new feature, update, or change.

Within the introduction of the announcement, the product lead said "the mission of OpenAI is to make artificial intelligence beneficial to all of humanity and part of that is making it as accessible as possible to as many people as we can..."

It's only those in the United States who can call via the number, but all regions should be able to text through WhatsApp. To begin with, people in the US will get 15 minutes per month of voice calling.

"This is an experimental way to talk to ChatGPT, so availability and limits may change.

"For a fuller experience with access to more features like search, higher limits, and greater personalization, existing users should continue using ChatGPT directly through their accounts."

How to call ChatGPT or text the chatbot through WhatsApp

To call OpenAI's chatbot, the number is 1-800-242-8478 and can only be used by those in the US.

Once answered, a robotic voice will say hello and introduce themselves as ChatGPT - an AI system. It also states the conversation may be reviewed for safety, before jumping in to ask how it can help.

The chatbot tool can then respond to questions, queries, and general conversations like it does so online and through the app.

To reach it on WhatsApp, simply type in the number and it will work in the same way as the chatbot online does. Users can ask it questions through the message format and it will respond with the relevant answer and information.