OpenAI unveils Dots, always‑on AI assistant to rival Meta's Muse
At its DevDay keynote, OpenAI introduced Dots, an always‑on AI assistant designed to operate in the background across a sprawling ecosystem of connected applications. Powered by the new GPT‑6 Astra model and a dedicated cloud computer, each Dot can launch a web browser, interact with more than 4,000 supported apps, and learn a user’s preferences over time, promising to "do nearly anything" for the user.
Users can converse with a Dot through a text‑message‑style chat window or hop on a voice call directly from ChatGPT on the web, desktop, or mobile. The assistants also integrate with Microsoft Teams and Slack, carrying context across devices, and a future SMS interface is on the roadmap. At launch, each account can create a single Dot, but OpenAI says multiple agents will be available soon. Example scenarios include a developer asking a Dot to turn customer feedback into code updates and a content creator delegating interview transcription, clipping, note‑taking, and social‑post drafting to the assistant.
Dots continuously learn while they work, allowing them to anticipate tasks before they are requested. They operate within a new collaborative space called ChatGPT Space, where teams can view a Dot’s cloud‑computer screen and intervene as needed. Safety is baked in: OpenAI provides default rules that govern independent actions, while users can define custom policies to block or require permission for specific operations. An auto‑review feature checks every proposed action against these rules and broader safety standards, and can hand off sensitive tasks—such as password changes—back to the human user.
The service rolls out today to ChatGPT Pro, Business Premium, and Enterprise customers, with no impact on standard usage limits. OpenAI is also piloting "specialist" Dots tailored to particular organizational roles. The launch comes just weeks after Meta unveiled Muse, an AI assistant that has already sparked safety concerns after a user reported an unintended address disclosure. By emphasizing rule‑based autonomy and extensive app integration, OpenAI hopes Dots will set a higher bar for responsible, productivity‑focused AI assistants.
Source attribution: Reported via Theverge.com