OpenAI rolls out 'Tasks' to compete with Alexa and Siri
This tuesday OpenAI has announced an exciting new beta feature for ChatGPT, called Tasks, which marks a significant advancement in the capabilities of conversational generative artificial intelligence. This innovative feature allows users to schedule future actions and reminders, positioning ChatGPT as a robust virtual assistant that can compete with established players like Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa.
What Is The Tasks Feature?
The Tasks functionality allows users to instruct ChatGPT to perform specific actions at designated times. Whether it's setting a one-time reminder for an important event or scheduling recurring updates such as daily weather forecasts or weekly news briefings, this feature enhances the overall user experience by making it more interactive and proactive. Users can easily access this feature by selecting the “4o with scheduled tasks” option in the ChatGPT model picker, where they can specify their desired tasks along with the execution time.
What Are The Key Features of Tasks by OpenAI?
-Scheduled Reminders: Users can set reminders for various activities, such as concert ticket sales or personal appointments.
-Recurring Actions: The system allows for ongoing tasks, enabling users to receive updates like daily motivational quotes or sports scores at regular intervals.
-Proactive Suggestions: Based on previous interactions, ChatGPT may suggest relevant tasks for users, although these suggestions require user approval before being executed.
-User-Friendly Management: All scheduled tasks can be managed directly within chat threads or through a dedicated Tasks section on the web platform, allowing for easy modifications or cancellations.
Competitive Landscape
The introduction of Tasks is part of OpenAI's broader strategy to enhance ChatGPT's role beyond simple conversational AI. This move comes in response to the growing demand for intelligent virtual assistants capable of managing daily responsibilities. As noted, Amazon is also revamping its Alexa service with generative AI features to maintain competitiveness in this evolving landscape. Similarly, Apple is integrating its "Apple Intelligence" technology into Siri, further highlighting the industry's shift towards more advanced AI capabilities.
Conclusion
As this feature rolls out globally to Plus, Team, and Pro users over the coming days, it will be interesting to observe how it reshapes user expectations and experiences in the digital assistant space. With ongoing improvements and new functionalities on the horizon, OpenAI continues to lead the charge in making artificial intelligence more accessible and useful for everyday tasks.