OpenAI Unveils Always-On AI Agent Dots To Take On Digital Assistant Rivals

OpenAI has introduced Dots, an always-on artificial intelligence agent designed to carry out tasks on behalf of users with less day-to-day supervision.

According to Bloomberg, the new product is aimed at the rapidly developing market for AI-powered digital assistants and can use a computer, access information from connected applications, conduct research, prepare documents and develop software.

Users can communicate with Dots through ChatGPT, Slack or Microsoft Teams, while text messaging support is expected to be introduced later.

OpenAI Dots AI Agent Can Handle Tasks For Users

OpenAI Dots is designed to take on work that would traditionally require a person to switch between applications and complete multiple steps manually.

The company said users can determine how much access the AI agent receives, allowing them to decide which information and systems it can interact with.

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the product as an AI assistant that can remain available to users and take on increasing levels of responsibility depending on the permissions granted.

The company also said its own engineers are already using Dots, with the agent reportedly helping address dozens of software bugs each day.

OpenAI is additionally testing specialised versions of Dots for enterprise customers, including tools aimed at email marketing, accounting and legal analysis.

OpenAI Launches Dots Amid Growing AI Competition

OpenAI Dots enters an increasingly crowded AI-agent market as technology companies compete to build systems capable of completing tasks rather than simply responding to prompts.

Meta and several startups are developing competing AI assistants, while other companies are exploring agents that can perform activities such as online shopping and software development.

OpenAI said more than 1.2 billion people now use ChatGPT each week, representing an increase from the 1 billion weekly users it reported over the summer.

The company plans to begin rolling out Dots to paying users, initially providing each user with one agent.

OpenAI Introduces New Premium ChatGPT Tier

OpenAI also used its developer event to announce an updated Sol model and a collaborative workspace aimed at teams.

The company introduced a $500 monthly subscription tier offering higher usage limits and faster processing, while making changes to some restrictions attached to its existing $200 plan.

The announcements come as OpenAI continues competing with Anthropic for business customers and works to expand the commercial use of its AI technology.

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The company has also been focusing on improving the efficiency of its models and testing different pricing structures as demand for increasingly capable AI systems grows.

OpenAI's latest product push comes amid broader scrutiny of AI safety, following reports of rogue AI-related hacking incidents and other concerns about increasingly autonomous systems.

The company has sought to reassure users by allowing them to control the permissions granted to Dots, giving customers a greater say over what the agent can access and do.