
#255: ChatGPT and the future of app discovery with Dan Shabtay, Co-Founder of Z2A Digital
From Business of Apps Podcast by Business of Apps
January 19, 2026 · 26 min · Episode 255
About this episode
Dan Shabtay discusses how ChatGPT is transforming app discovery and development.
The way app users discover, evaluate, and even build apps is starting to shift — and large language models are at the center of that change. As AI platforms evolve beyond chat and into full ecosystems, app growth teams are facing a new set of questions around discovery, distribution, and long-term strategy. In this episode, we’re sharing an App Talks interview with Dan Shabtay, Co-Founder of Z2A Digital. Dan explores how the emerging app ecosystem inside ChatGPT is opening the door to a new wave of app creation — from no-code tools and solo entrepreneurs to entirely new user acquisition channels embedded directly within AI platforms. Today’s topics include: Dan explains how ChatGPT is evolving into a platform with its own internal app marketplace, giving developers access to hundreds of millions of users without relying on traditional app stores. Entrepreneurs and creators can now build and publish functional apps without engineering teams, fundamentally changing who can participate in app development and how quickly new ideas can reach the market. Unlike iOS or Google Play, apps built inside LLM ecosystems immediately tap into an existing, engaged user base, reducing friction…
People in this episode
Guest: Dan Shabtay
Topics covered
- app discovery
- AI platforms
- app development
- user acquisition
- no-code tools
- ChatGPT ecosystem
Keywords
- app growth
- language models
- entrepreneurs
- user engagement
- AI-native ad formats
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Z2A Digital, iOS, Google Play
Products: ChatGPT
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