Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) announced the launch of an app integration within ChatGPT that allows businesses to describe project needs, discover talent, and draft job posts without leaving the AI platform. The integration connects users to Upwork's marketplace, which features more than 18 million professionals across 130 work categories and 10,000 skills.

The app enables users to progress from initial project ideas in ChatGPT to hiring professionals on Upwork's platform. Users can access the service through prompts that begin with "@Upwork" followed by their project requirements. After initial interactions in ChatGPT, users are directed to Upwork's marketplace where the company's AI agent Uma helps with project scoping, contract generation, and work initiation.

"Human expertise paired with AI is transforming work, and this integration brings the Upwork Marketplace directly into one of the tools millions of people use to get work started," said Peter Sanborn, chief business officer at Upwork Inc.

According to Upwork research, 94% of business leaders report their organizations mandate or encourage AI tool usage. The integration targets solopreneurs, small businesses, and medium-sized businesses managing growing teams and workloads.

"For many people, ChatGPT is where you can explore ideas, solve problems, and move work forward," said Chaya Nayak, head of jobs and certification product at OpenAI. "We're excited to partner with Upwork and make it easier for anyone to build a business."

The integration builds on a previously announced partnership between Upwork and OpenAI to provide AI skills training and certifications to professionals on the Upwork marketplace. Additional enhancements to the app, including project scoping and work delivery capabilities, are planned for later this year.

All ChatGPT users can access the new Upwork app through the platform's app integration feature.