OpenAI removed its API waitlist on 18 November 2021, making GPT-3 access available to any developer who signs up [source]. Previously, developers had to apply and wait for approval before accessing the API.

The company stated that over one million developers had joined the waitlist since the API's beta launch in June 2020. OpenAI cited improved safety systems and monitoring tools as enabling the broader rollout, including automated monitoring to detect misuse and a content filter that developers can apply to their applications.

The announcement noted that OpenAI had worked with early users to understand use cases and refine safety measures during the waitlist period. The company said it would continue requiring developers to submit use case information during signup and review applications that present higher risk scenarios.

OpenAI maintained existing usage policies prohibiting generation of hateful, harassing, or violent content, as well as restrictions on certain political and spam-related applications. The company stated it would continue to reject applications that violate these policies.

The removal of the waitlist represented a significant expansion of access to GPT-3, which had been limited to approved developers for 17 months. OpenAI did not specify what volume of new signups it anticipated or what additional safety incidents, if any, had occurred during the waitlist period that informed the decision to expand access.

The announcement included no changes to API pricing or model capabilities. Developers gained immediate access to the same GPT-3 models that had been available to waitlisted users, including Davinci, Curie, Babbage, and Ada variants.