While it’s not yet as practical as Siri or Google Assistant, it can now handle scheduled reminders and recurring requests.
Availability and Access for Users
The company is immediately rolling out Tasks for paid subscribers, including ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users worldwide. However, free-tier users will have to wait, as OpenAI hasn’t announced when (or if) they will get access. For now, the company wants to collect feedback from paid users first.
To use Tasks, users need to select the “GPT-4 with Scheduled Tasks” option in the ChatGPT model menu. From there, they can tell the AI what they need and when they want it done, whether it’s a one-time reminder or something recurring.
Examples of Tasks Users Can Set
OpenAI shared a few examples of what users might request:
- A reminder that a passport expires in six months
- Daily weather forecasts at 7 a.m.
- Weekend activity suggestions based on location and weather
- Morning affirmations at 7 a.m.
- Daily knock-knock jokes at 6 p.m. for bedtime stories
Managing and Monitoring Tasks
The system can even suggest tasks based on chat history, although the final decision to set them up always lies with the user. Users can manage their tasks either in the regular chat window or via a dedicated task manager, currently available only in the web version. During the beta phase, users can have up to 10 active tasks at a time. Once a task is completed, ChatGPT sends notifications via desktop, browser, or smartphone alerts.
Although the system will eventually support scheduled web searches, it currently cannot perform continuous background searches or make purchases. This means we’re still far from having an AI that can independently plan and book vacations for us.
Behind the scenes, OpenAI is working on more advanced agent systems, including one called “Operator,” designed to autonomously write code and book trips.
With Tasks, ChatGPT steps into territory traditionally occupied by voice assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa. All of these services are attempting to evolve from rigid rule-based systems into more flexible AI companions. However, the challenge lies in making language models reliable enough for everyday use.
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