OpenAI has launched an "always-on" personal AI assistant named "dots" designed to manage various tasks such as restaurant bookings and website design. The release on Tuesday adds to the growing field of virtual assistants aimed at helping busy individuals reduce their workloads. This launch follows Meta's introduction of its AI assistant Muse earlier this month and Google’s unveiling of Gemini Spark in May.
According to OpenAI, dots are "built to handle everything," with each personal agent capable of autonomously working on a user’s goals around the clock. The company stated, "The magic of dots is when they bring you work done the way you would do it, sometimes before you even think to ask." OpenAI claims that the virtual assistants, powered by its latest AI model GPT‑6 Astra, can connect to over 4,000 applications, including workplace tools like Slack and Teams, to perform tasks on behalf of users.
Additionally, OpenAI announced that dots include enhanced safety and privacy features, such as a "read-only" mode that prevents agents from controlling a user’s browser or computer when the user is not present. The launch occurs amid ongoing discussions about maximizing the benefits of AI while minimizing potential risks. OpenAI was one of six tech companies that signed an accord on AI standards announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, which emphasizes the implementation of robust internal controls and collaboration with external auditors to ensure the effectiveness of safety measures.
On Monday, OpenAI stated that it would not release its newest model, GPT-6.1 Astra, after identifying safety concerns during testing.
Source: Al Jazeera English, Published: 2026-09-30 06:29:57