OpenAI is taking a significant leap forward by introducing a new beta feature called Tasks to ChatGPT. This feature allows users to schedule future actions and reminders, transforming ChatGPT into a more versatile digital assistant. Available to Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers, Tasks represents OpenAI’s push into functionality traditionally dominated by Google Assistant and Siri, but with ChatGPT’s advanced language capabilities.
What Is Tasks?
Tasks enables users to schedule one-time or recurring actions. Need a daily weather report at 7 AM, a reminder about passport expiration, or even a knock-knock joke for bedtime? ChatGPT can now handle it all. This shift positions ChatGPT as a more proactive assistant rather than just a reactive conversational tool.
Here’s how it works:
- Activate the Feature: Subscribers can access Tasks by selecting “4o with scheduled tasks” in ChatGPT’s model picker.
- Set Up Tasks: Simply type what you want ChatGPT to do and when you want it done.
- Manage Tasks: Modify or cancel tasks through chat threads or the new Tasks section in the web profile menu.
- Receive Notifications: Users will get alerts on web, desktop, or mobile upon task completion.
Tasks also includes an optional feature where ChatGPT proactively suggests tasks based on conversations. However, these suggestions require explicit user approval to avoid accidental clutter. Users can manage up to 10 active tasks simultaneously.
A Premium Feature for Now
Tasks is currently exclusive to paid subscribers of ChatGPT, with subscription tiers at $20 per month (Plus) and $200 per month (Pro). OpenAI has not announced if or when the feature will roll out to free users, suggesting that Tasks may remain a premium offering to justify subscription costs.
The Bigger Picture: AI’s Evolution into Digital Agents
Tasks represents a significant evolution in ChatGPT’s functionality. Until now, ChatGPT has operated in real time, responding to immediate user inputs. With Tasks, OpenAI is venturing into the domain of digital agents capable of planning and executing actions over time.
OpenAI’s ambitions don’t stop with scheduling. Reports suggest the company is working on “Operator,” an autonomous AI agent that can independently control computers, and “Caterpillar,” a potential integration with Tasks. These systems could allow ChatGPT to search for specific information, summarize data, navigate websites, and more — with users receiving notifications upon task completion.
As AI capabilities expand, OpenAI’s move into “agentic” AI aligns with broader economic and technological trends. These features represent a way to monetize expensive AI infrastructure while offering users greater utility. However, they also raise questions about reliability. Past demos of OpenAI’s agents occasionally produced inaccurate results, and whether these new tools will overcome those hurdles remains to be seen.
Challenges and Opportunities
While Tasks is a promising step forward, its beta launch highlights OpenAI’s cautious approach. Scheduled tasks may pose challenges, such as delivering time-sensitive information reliably. Users are encouraged to experiment but not yet rely on it for critical needs.
As OpenAI gathers feedback during the beta phase, the success of Tasks will depend on its ability to balance accuracy, utility, and user trust. If executed well, Tasks could redefine what users expect from AI-driven assistants.
Get Started with Tasks
Subscribers can start experimenting with Tasks today by selecting the “4o with scheduled tasks” option in their model picker. Whether you’re setting reminders, scheduling jokes, or exploring new capabilities, Tasks offers a glimpse into the future of proactive, AI-powered assistance.
Stay tuned as OpenAI refines this feature and continues its journey to make ChatGPT a cornerstone of daily productivity and innovation.
