On April 9, 2026, Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) announced a significant advancement in its service offerings by introducing an Upwork app within ChatGPT. This innovative integration aims to streamline the hiring process for businesses by allowing users to describe project needs and discover relevant talent directly through the popular AI platform, ChatGPT.

2. Seamless Transition from AI Conversation to Project Execution

The Upwork app within ChatGPT enables users—from solopreneurs to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)—to tap into a vast pool of over 18 million professionals with expertise in 130 categories and 10,000 skills. By guiding users from an initial AI conversation to the Upwork Marketplace, the app facilitates project scoping, contract generation, and the initiation of work, thereby simplifying the path to accomplishing business objectives.

Peter Sanborn, Upwork’s Chief Business Officer, emphasized the transformative potential of combining human expertise with AI, stating, "This integration brings the Upwork Marketplace directly into one of the tools millions of people use to get work started. You can now quickly progress from an idea in ChatGPT to hiring the right expert on Upwork in just a few steps, turning conversations into real work outcomes."

3. Addressing the Growing Demand for AI Tools

Research conducted by Upwork reveals that 94% of business leaders now mandate or encourage the use of AI tools within their organizations. This trend reflects a broader shift towards AI platforms as essential tools for brainstorming and initiating work. With the new Upwork app, users can effortlessly draft job posts and connect with the right talent before transitioning to Upwork’s robust platform for project execution, compliance, and payment facilitation.

User-Friendly Prompts for Enhanced Engagement

To enhance user experience, the Upwork app provides sample prompts that users can employ to quickly identify the expertise they need. Some examples include:

“@Upwork I need to find an expert to lead an AI integration for my business.”

“@Upwork Find a developer to build an AI customer support assistant that can answer questions, route tickets, and reduce response times.”

“@Upwork Help me draft a job post to automate workflows like CRM updates, lead routing, meeting summaries, and follow-up emails.”

A Partnership with OpenAI

This new functionality builds upon Upwork’s existing partnership with OpenAI, which focuses on providing professionals on the Upwork Marketplace with access to AI skills training and certifications. By equipping freelancers with in-demand skills, Upwork aims to enhance the quality of services offered to clients.

4. Future Enhancements and User Accessibility

All ChatGPT users can begin utilizing the Upwork app by connecting it within the platform. Upwork plans to unveil additional enhancements later this year, including capabilities for project scoping and work delivery, further enriching the user experience.

5. About Upwork Inc.

Upwork Inc.'s suite of services connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across various work types, including freelance, fractional, and payrolled options. The company operates the Upwork Marketplace, a leading platform that provides businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled professionals. Since its inception, Upwork has facilitated over $30 billion in transactions, fulfilling its mission to create opportunities in every era of work.

For more information, visit Upwork's website or follow them on social media platforms.

In conclusion, Upwork's integration with ChatGPT marks a pivotal moment in the evolving landscape of freelance work. By harnessing the power of AI, Upwork is poised to not only enhance its service offerings but also redefine how businesses connect with talent in the digital age.

Original press release