OpenAI has officially launched a new beta feature for ChatGPT called Task, which allows users to schedule reminders and automate various actions. Announced on January 14, 2025, this feature is designed to improve the user experience by turning ChatGPT into a more proactive digital assistant, similar to popular tools like Siri and Alexa.
Key Features of Task ChatGPT
- Planning capabilities: Users can set up one-time or recurring tasks using natural language prompts. This includes reminders for important dates, daily weather updates, and even fun notifications like jokes for kids.
- User-friendly interface: To use the Task feature, users must select “GPT-4o with Scheduled Tasks” from the template selector. They can then describe the desired task and timing. While tasks can be defined on any platform, management is currently limited to the web interface.
- Notifications: once the tasks are scheduled, Chat GPT will send notifications across web, desktop, and mobile platforms when tasks are due or completed. This ensures that users stay informed about their scheduled actions.
Target audience and availability
The Task feature is rolling out globally to premium subscribers, specifically those on the Plus, Team, and Pro plans. OpenAI is gradually making the feature available over the coming days, starting with web users. During the beta phase, users are limited to managing up to ten active tasks at a time.
Competitive landscape
With the introduction of Tasks, OpenAI aims to position ChatGPT as a serious contender in the digital assistant market. The feature not only enhances ChatGPT’s capabilities, but also reflects a broader trend in AI development toward creating more autonomous systems that can perform user-defined actions without constant prompting. The move comes as other tech giants like Apple and Google are also advancing their AI capabilities.
Future implications
OpenAI's foray into Agentic AI – technology that performs tasks on behalf of users – could significantly influence how people interact with AI in their daily lives. As OpenAI executives have noted, the move toward more autonomous AI agents is expected to be a major theme in 2025.
In summary, OpenAI’s Task feature represents a significant step forward in making ChatGPT not just a conversation tool, but a full-fledged assistant that can efficiently manage various aspects of users’ schedules and reminders. As feedback is gathered during this beta phase, further improvements are expected before a broader rollout to all users.
