ChatGPT Now Schedules Reminders & Recurring Tasks

ChatGPT Now Offers Scheduled Reminders and Recurring Tasks

Subscribers to OpenAI’s ChatGPT can now utilize the AI assistant to establish reminders and recurring requests. This new functionality, currently in beta and known as 'tasks', is beginning its rollout to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users globally this week.

Setting Reminders and Recurring Requests

The 'tasks' feature enables users to define straightforward reminders with ChatGPT, for instance, “Remind me six months before my passport expires.” The AI will then deliver a push notification on your chosen platform where tasks are activated.

Furthermore, users can configure recurring requests to ChatGPT. Examples include, “Provide a weekend plan every Friday, considering my location and the weather,” or “Deliver a daily news briefing at 7 a.m.”

A Step Towards AI Agents

This new task capability represents OpenAI’s initial foray into AI models capable of operating with a degree of autonomy – often referred to as AI agents. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman anticipates significant advancements in AI agents in 2025, even suggesting their integration into the workforce this year.

While 'tasks' is a limited form of an agentic system, it introduces a practical feature commonly expected from assistants like Siri and Alexa: the ability to set reminders. The scheduled information requests, however, demonstrate novel capabilities beyond those of traditional digital assistants.

Accessing and Managing Tasks

Users can access 'tasks' by selecting “4o with scheduled tasks” from a dropdown menu within ChatGPT. From there, a message can be sent to the AI assistant detailing the desired reminder or action.

OpenAI notes that ChatGPT may proactively suggest tasks based on ongoing conversations. Task creation and management can be performed through chat on any platform, or via a dedicated tasks manager tab available exclusively on the web application.

Capabilities and Limitations

Through this feature, ChatGPT can now perform scheduled web browsing. However, it will not conduct continuous background searches or execute purchases.

For example, you could instruct ChatGPT to check monthly for concert tickets for a preferred artist in your area. However, it cannot immediately alert you when tickets become available, nor can it purchase them on your behalf. This functionality, nonetheless, represents a progression towards such systems.

Beta Testing and Future Availability

OpenAI intends to utilize this beta period to gather insights into user behavior with 'tasks' before a wider release on its mobile app and free version of ChatGPT. Currently, task setting is unavailable through Advanced Voice Mode during this beta launch.

Addressing Existing Limitations

Despite the advanced capabilities of AI assistants powered by large language models, they often struggle with simple tasks easily handled by smartphones. Developers like OpenAI and Google have been developing innovative solutions to enable their assistants to set timers and create reminders.

While these tasks may seem minor, OpenAI aims for ChatGPT to tackle far more complex operations in the future.

Looking Ahead: Advanced Agentic Systems

OpenAI is preparing to launch more sophisticated agentic systems, including a system reportedly named Operator, capable of writing code and arranging travel. Bloomberg reports that this system could be available within the coming weeks.

Potential Challenges

The development of more advanced agentic systems introduces potential risks. 'Tasks' demonstrates a controlled implementation of agentic abilities, but OpenAI’s safety measures may be challenged as it introduces more autonomous AI systems.

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