OpenAI has teamed up with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to bring AI-powered holiday magic to the beloved NORAD Tracks Santa program. The collaboration introduces three new ChatGPT-powered interactive tools designed to add extra joy and wonder to family holiday celebrations.
Three New Holiday Experiences#
The partnership brings a trio of creative tools to the NORAD Tracks Santa website, each leveraging ChatGPT to deliver personalized experiences:
Elf Enrollment transforms users’ photos into “official” Santa’s helper portraits. Families can upload a picture and watch as AI magic converts them into festive elf imagery—perfect for holiday cards or social media sharing.
Santa’s Toy Lab invites children and families to describe their most imaginative toy ideas. ChatGPT then transforms these creative descriptions into printable coloring book pages, combining AI creativity with hands-on holiday activities that kids can enjoy offline.
Christmas Story Creator offers a fill-in-the-blank storytelling experience where families can craft personalized holiday tales together. By providing key details and choices, users can generate unique stories featuring their own characters and adventures.
A 69-Year Tradition Gets an AI Upgrade#
NORAD Tracks Santa has been a holiday institution since 1955, when a misprinted phone number in a Sears advertisement led children to call the Continental Air Defense Command asking about Santa’s location. Rather than disappoint the callers, staff played along—and a tradition was born.
Now in its 69th year, the program continues to track Santa’s Christmas Eve journey across the globe, delighting millions of families worldwide. The addition of OpenAI’s ChatGPT tools represents the latest evolution of this beloved tradition, blending cutting-edge AI technology with timeless holiday spirit.
Accessible Holiday Magic#
All three tools are available through the NORAD Tracks Santa website, making them easily accessible to families looking to add some AI-powered creativity to their holiday celebrations. The program also features a holiday countdown, games, a movie theater, and holiday music, available in nine languages to serve its global audience.
The collaboration demonstrates how AI can enhance cherished traditions without replacing their essential magic—using technology to create new ways for families to connect and celebrate together.