OpenAI has unveiled a new beta feature in ChatGPT: Tasks. It enables users to schedule future actions and reminders, akin to Google Assistant or Siri, but with the advanced language capabilities that ChatGPT is known for. With Tasks, users can now instruct ChatGPT to perform scheduled one-time or recurring tasks, such as providing daily weather reports, sports scores, or news digests.
To use it, select the “4o with scheduled tasks” option in ChatGPT’s model picker, then type out the desired task and specify when it should be executed. The system is also designed to proactively suggest tasks based on ongoing conversations, although users must approve these suggestions before they are set. Tasks can be managed directly within chat threads or through a dedicated Tasks section available on the web, allowing for easy modification or cancellation. Notifications are sent upon task completion across web, desktop, and mobile platforms, with a limit of 10 active tasks running simultaneously.
The introduction of Tasks is part of OpenAI’s broader ambition to expand ChatGPT’s role beyond simple conversation. Reports suggest that OpenAI is working on “Operator,” an autonomous AI agent capable of independently controlling computers, and “Caterpillar,” which could integrate with Tasks to enhance its functionality further.
This is exciting stuff, but remember, all AI tools can (and do) often provide unexpected results — that’s why this is a beta release.
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it. This work was created with the assistance of various generative AI models.