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OpenAI has launched a global update for ChatGPT that introduces two new shopping features, allowing users to virtually try on clothes and save items for later reference. This move signals a deeper push into the e-commerce space, transforming the conversational assistant into a visual shopping tool. People are discussing these updates as AI companies increasingly experiment with how to turn digital assistants into helpful shopping companions.
A digital fitting room on your phone The primary addition is a virtual try-on tool that appears as a button in ChatGPT’s shopping results. To use it, a person can upload a selfie or a full-body photo, which the assistant then uses to show how a specific article of clothing or accessory might look on them. Users can also provide their own images, such as screenshots from other websites, and ask the assistant to generate a preview of them wearing the item. These reference photos are saved in the app for future use, though the company provides options in the settings menu to remove or replace them under a personalization tab.
Advanced search and organization Beyond try-ons, the assistant can now help users build entire outfits based on a description of a style or find specific items worn by celebrities in uploaded photos. To manage these discoveries, a new Favorites function allows users to save products to a Library or organize them into folders. This feature is intended to solve the common problem of losing track of a product after navigating away from a page. These saved items are kept alongside the images generated during the try-on process, making it easier for shoppers to compare different looks before making a purchase.
Technology and privacy considerations The shopping features are powered by the newly launched ChatGPT Images 2.5 model. OpenAI claims this model delivers more natural lighting, richer textures, and faster image generation compared to previous versions. The company also states the model is better at following specific editing instructions reliably. Regarding privacy, OpenAI notes that content from individual accounts may be used to train its models. Users who prefer to keep their photos private are advised to adjust their data control settings to exclude their conversations from the model training process.
Why it matters This development places ChatGPT in direct competition with established visual platforms like Google and Pinterest, which have dominated fashion discovery and inspiration in recent years. While Google introduced its own virtual try-on feature in 2025, OpenAI aims to differentiate itself by combining visual previews with conversational assistance. However, there are limitations to the technology. While the AI produces a visual sense of how a style looks, it cannot confirm the actual fit, garment measurements, or sizing of an item. Shoppers are still encouraged to check size charts and return policies, as a digital preview is not a guarantee that a physical item will fit correctly.
Sources
- techcrunch.com · techcrunch.com
- techrepublic.com · techrepublic.com