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OpenAI has launched a beta feature called Tasks in ChatGPT, designed to help users schedule reminders and recurring actions as part of its push into AI agentic capabilities.
With the new Tasks feature, users will be able to set one-time reminders or recurring actions like daily weather updates, news briefings, or periodic web searches. This will be managed through either its chat function or a dedicated web interface, or notifications can be set across desktop, mobile, and web platforms.
ChatGPT is said to be able to suggest helpful tasks based on your conversation history. However, users must explicitly approve any suggestions and scheduled tasks on the Windows app will come later this quarter.
Today we’re rolling out a beta version of tasks—a new way to ask ChatGPT to do things for you at a future time.
Whether it's one-time reminders or recurring actions, tell ChatGPT what you need and when, and it will automatically take care of it. pic.twitter.com/7lgvsPehHv
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 14, 2025
The beta feature will be first rolled out to Plus, Team, and Pro users globally over the next few days, according to OpenAI. During this phase, users can issue 10 active tasks at a time.
OpenAI told ReadWrite that the feature can be used for tasks like reminding people that their passports will expire six months from today. It can also provide a list of activities to do over the weekend based on your location and the forecasted weather.
In chat or through the tasks page under the profile menu, you can schedule tasks you want ChatGPT to do, such as send you a weekly global news briefing, get a daily personalized 15-minute workout, or set a reminder for the future. pic.twitter.com/RC0GkhcbNR
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 14, 2025
The year of the AI agent as OpenAI unveils Tasks feature
Reminders might not be revolutionary, but the new Tasks feature is setting the stage for bringing agent-like abilities to ChatGPT. This will become even more important when it ties in with other features, like tool integration or computer use. Plus, with rumors swirling about ‘Operator‘ launching this month, it’s looking like 2025 could really be the year of the AI agent.
Microsoft, one of OpenAI’s key investors, is already diving into enterprise AI with Copilot. This would let companies create their own custom AI virtual employees. It means that businesses could build AI chatbots tailored to interact with customers or assist in-house teams with internal tasks.
Both firms are currently competing in the AI agentic space, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stating earlier this month that his company knows how to build artificial generative AI and predicting the presence of AI agents in workplaces by 2025.
Featured image: Canva
