ChatGPT’s latest update brings it closer to becoming an autonomous AI assistant.
In the coming days, paying users can schedule “Tasks” for the bot to carry out automatically, from sending daily reminders to offering regular language lessons.
Once instructed, ChatGPT will handle these jobs at the designated time, with no further input required from you.
The good news is that once the testing period is over the feature will likely be available to all users.
If, like us, you failed to get the assistant to message you on WhatsApp, you'll love this new upgrade that transforms it into more of an AI companion. You can ask it to check in on you throughout the day; ping you with regular news and weather updates; send you a weekly to-do list based on your chats; or compose draft emails in advance.
With the ChatGPT app installed, these will appear as push notifications on your phone (so make sure you have them enabled).
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.
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 14, 2025
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
How to use ChatGPT Tasks
Select "4o with scheduled tasks" in the ChatGPT model picker to start the new scheduling feature.
Then, send ChatGPT a message detailing what you want it to do and when, and it will automatically set up the task for you.
You can easily manage your tasks directly within the chat or by visiting the "tasks" section in the profile menu.
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
Furthermore, ChatGPT might suggest tasks based on your ongoing conversations, with the option to accept or decline these recommendations.
The feature will be available on desktop, web, and mobile later this week, but you’ll need to use the web version to access the task manager. ChatGPT Plus users can set up to 10 active tasks simultaneously during the beta phase.
What are AI agents?
Just as smartphones replaced various devices — from cameras and MP3 players to GPS systems — AI could soon absorb many of the online services we rely on, from news to language learning apps.
It will maybe even replace us. The latest wave of AI innovation goes beyond simple text or image generation, with the emergence of 'agents' designed to handle intricate, multi-step processes independently.
These systems offer a hands-free experience, as showcased by Anthropic’s recent demonstration of an AI that operates a computer much like a human — moving the cursor, launching applications, and executing commands.
Financial services firm Klarna has revealed that its ChatGPT-powered agent already handles two-thirds of customer interactions. This is the equivalent work of 700 full-time support representatives.
On the other hand, a less dramatic, and more palatable, scenario could see these agents helping to automate the most mundane and repetitive work tasks, boosting productivity.
