The AI chatbot can now set reminders and perform recurring actions.
OpenAI has announced a game-changing feature for ChatGPT: Tasks. This new beta capability, rolling out today for Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers, aims to transform the chatbot from a real-time conversational tool into a full-fledged digital assistant. Think Google Assistant or Siri — but with the advanced language prowess of ChatGPT.
Here’s everything you need to know about this innovative feature, why it matters, and how it could redefine the way we manage our daily lives.
What Is Tasks?
Tasks is a scheduling and reminder tool built directly into ChatGPT. With this feature, users can request scheduled actions or reminders for the future, enhancing ChatGPT’s role beyond immediate conversations. Want a daily weather update at 7 AM? Need a reminder about your passport’s expiration? Or perhaps you’d like a knock-knock joke queued up to entertain your kids at bedtime? Tasks can handle it all — whether it’s a one-time reminder or a recurring schedule.
This shift signals OpenAI’s bold entry into territory traditionally dominated by virtual assistants. By combining conversational intelligence with proactive scheduling, Tasks brings new versatility to ChatGPT.
How It Works
Subscribers can access Tasks by selecting the “4.0 with scheduled tasks” option in ChatGPT’s model picker. Once enabled, setting up tasks is straightforward: just type what you need and when you need it. ChatGPT can also suggest tasks based on your conversations, though you’ll need to explicitly approve these suggestions before they’re created. (Let’s face it, nobody wants accidental “slop” clogging up their reminders.)
Tasks can be managed either directly within chat threads or through a dedicated Tasks section, accessible via the web version’s profile menu. From there, you can view, modify, or cancel tasks as needed. Notifications will alert you upon task completion, and these alerts are available across web, desktop, and mobile platforms. However, users should note that there’s currently a limit of 10 active tasks at any given time.
A Premium Feature for Now
For now, Tasks is exclusively available to paying subscribers. OpenAI has not indicated whether the feature will eventually roll out to free users. With monthly subscription tiers priced at $20 (Plus) and $200 (Pro), Tasks could remain a premium offering, adding to the value proposition for subscribers.
This exclusivity aligns with OpenAI’s broader strategy of monetizing its advanced AI infrastructure. As competition heats up in the AI space, features like Tasks serve as a compelling reason for users to invest in premium plans.
What Sets Tasks Apart
While scheduling capabilities are nothing new in the digital assistant space, Tasks represents a significant evolution for ChatGPT. Until now, the AI has operated exclusively in real time, responding to immediate user inputs. The introduction of Tasks shifts ChatGPT into new territory: future planning and ongoing task management.
What’s more, OpenAI’s ambitions for Tasks extend far beyond simple reminders. According to reports from Bloomberg, OpenAI is preparing to launch “Operator,” an autonomous AI agent capable of independently controlling computers. Additionally, reverse engineer Tibor Blaho has uncovered details about a project codenamed “Caterpillar.” This initiative could integrate with Tasks to enable ChatGPT to perform complex actions such as:
- Searching for specific information online
- Analyzing problems and summarizing data
- Navigating websites and accessing documents
If successful, these advancements would enable users to receive task completion notifications without constant supervision, further enhancing ChatGPT’s functionality as an “agentic” AI.
The Economics of Agentic AI
As I highlighted in a previous article, the rise of “agentic” AI in 2025 is not just a technological milestone — it’s an economic strategy. By introducing agent-like features, OpenAI and other AI developers are finding innovative ways to monetize costly AI infrastructure. Tasks, while still in beta, is a critical step toward this vision.
However, with great promise comes great responsibility. For these tools to truly replace traditional digital assistants, they must deliver reliable results. During past demos, OpenAI’s agents occasionally produced inaccurate information, raising questions about their dependability. The beta launch of Tasks suggests OpenAI is keen to gather real-world feedback to refine the feature before a wider release.
Limitations and Considerations
Tasks is not without its limitations. With a maximum of 10 active tasks and the potential for human error in setting up reminders, the feature is still a work in progress. Additionally, there’s the question of what happens when something goes wrong. For instance, what if ChatGPT fails to deliver a time-sensitive reminder? Until the system proves its reliability, it’s advisable to double-check critical tasks.
OpenAI’s decision to keep Tasks in beta underscores the importance of user feedback. As the feature evolves, it will be interesting to see how it addresses these challenges and whether it becomes robust enough to handle high-stakes scenarios.
How to Get Started
If you’re a paying ChatGPT subscriber, getting started with Tasks is simple. Just select the “4.0 with scheduled tasks” option in the model picker and start experimenting. While it may not yet be ready for mission-critical reminders, Tasks offers a glimpse into the future of AI-driven productivity.
Final Thoughts
Tasks marks a bold new chapter for ChatGPT, expanding its role from a conversational tool to a proactive assistant. By combining advanced language capabilities with scheduling and task management, OpenAI is setting the stage for a more integrated and intelligent AI experience.
Whether Tasks will deliver on its promise of reliability remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the future of AI-powered assistance is here, and it’s evolving fast. If you’re a subscriber, now is the perfect time to dive in and explore what Tasks has to offer.
As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of what AI can do, one thing is certain: we’re just scratching the surface of its potential.
