Figma shares soared more than 15% on Monday after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman spotlighted the design software company’s technology during his onstage presentation at OpenAI’s annual DevDay conference in San Francisco.
The sharp rally marked the steepest single-day gain for Figma since its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange in July.
The move came after Altman demonstrated how Figma integrates directly into ChatGPT, highlighting the potential of OpenAI’s new Apps SDK — a software development framework that allows third-party applications to connect with ChatGPT’s massive user base of over 800 million monthly active users.
At the time of writing, Figma shares was trading at 8.8% higher at $57.7, after paring some of its gains.
Altman showcases Figma integration with ChatGPT
During his presentation, Altman explained how third-party applications like Figma can seamlessly plug into ChatGPT through the Apps SDK.
The integration enables users to interact with Figma without leaving their ChatGPT session, enhancing workflow efficiency for developers, designers, and product teams.
“When someone’s using ChatGPT, you’ll be able to find an app by asking for it by name,” Altman said during his demonstration. “For example, you could sketch out a product flow for ChatGPT and then say, ‘Figma, turn this sketch into a workable diagram.’ The Figma app will take over, respond, and complete the action.”
This functionality illustrates the broader vision behind OpenAI’s SDK — a framework that allows external developers to build and embed interactive tools directly within ChatGPT’s interface.
The feature aims to turn the chatbot into a more versatile platform for productivity, creation, and collaboration.
Figma expands its AI capabilities
Figma has been actively incorporating generative AI into its design ecosystem over the past year, leveraging models from OpenAI and other providers.
The company’s tools, including its collaborative whiteboarding app FigJam, are increasingly being used by design and engineering teams to accelerate project planning and prototype creation.
Through the new integration, Figma users will be able to initiate or continue their design processes directly inside ChatGPT.
Altman said subscribers to products connected to the Apps SDK will be able to log in seamlessly without leaving the chat environment.
Designers can also launch FigJam sessions to brainstorm and iterate on ideas collaboratively.
The Apps SDK itself is built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP) — an open standard first introduced by OpenAI rival Anthropic in 2024.
By adopting MCP, OpenAI is signaling support for a more interoperable AI ecosystem where tools from multiple providers can coexist and interact efficiently.
Expanding opportunities for developers
Altman noted that software developers will be able to submit their own apps for review later in 2025, paving the way for an expanding marketplace of third-party integrations within ChatGPT.
Over time, OpenAI plans to introduce new monetization opportunities, allowing developers to generate revenue through their apps and services connected to the platform.
The move is part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to turn ChatGPT into a central productivity hub that not only delivers information but also executes complex workflows.
Last week, the company rolled out another commerce-oriented feature — allowing users to purchase products listed on Etsy directly through ChatGPT.
For Figma, the exposure at DevDay has reinforced investor confidence in the company’s role within the growing AI-driven design landscape.
As OpenAI opens its platform to more external applications, Figma’s early presence in the ecosystem could translate into stronger engagement and long-term growth.
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