New Shopping Capabilities Roll Out

OpenAI is expanding the shopping capabilities of its conversational assistant with the global launch of new features designed to help consumers explore clothing and accessories. Among the updates is a virtual try-on function that lets users visualize how garments might look on them by uploading their own photos. This feature arrives as major AI platforms increasingly target consumer shopping behaviors, following a path similar to when Google launched virtual try-on last year.

How Virtual Try-On Works

To create a custom image, users can access the virtual try-on feature anywhere a clothing product listing appears in a chat by tapping a new "Try On" button. Alternatively, users can upload external images, such as web screenshots or photos of celebrity outfits, and ask the assistant to find matching items available for purchase or generate a try-on preview. The underlying image generation relies on the newly integrated ChatGPT Images 2.5 model, which OpenAI says provides more natural lighting, richer textures, and reduced latency.

Library and Favorites Integration

Alongside the visual try-on tool, OpenAI is introducing a favoriting function that allows users to save products they discover directly to a Library within the app. This feature is intended to help shoppers easily revisit items later for reference or potential purchase. Saved items will be stored alongside the custom try-on images generated during the session. Users can also describe specific styles they want to try and ask the platform to curate matching pieces.

Broader Commerce Context

The introduction of these consumer-focused tools comes as OpenAI continues to experiment with e-commerce features inside its chat interface. The company has previously explored transactional avenues, including tests involving instant checkout functionality and merchants placing ads inside of chats. While previous retail initiatives have faced various hurdles, the steady rollout of shopping features indicates a continued effort to build out commercial use cases within the assistant.

Data Privacy and Considerations

As with previous image uploads to the platform, standard data handling policies apply to the personal selfies and full-body photographs submitted for virtual try-ons. By default, images uploaded from personal accounts may be utilized for training purposes unless users actively choose to opt out. While platforms like Pinterest and Google have historically anchored visual fashion discovery, market observers note that it remains to be seen whether consumers will embrace conversational AI as a primary shopping destination.

Sources

• EngadgetChatGPT can now help you virtually try on clothes
• TechCrunchChatGPT can now virtually try on clothes for you