OpenAI has launched Dots, an always-on AI assistant designed to work in the background, pursue ongoing goals and complete tasks with less hands-on supervision. Announced on September 29, 2026, Dots is powered by GPT-6 Astra and operates using its own cloud computer and browser. It can research information, analyze data, prepare documents, build software and work with connected applications while users focus on other priorities.
The initial rollout covers eligible ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium users, while Enterprise, Education and Healthcare customers can access a beta when their workspace administrator enables it. OpenAI says each eligible subscription includes one Dot at no additional cost. The launch represents a broader shift toward AI agents that can manage ongoing responsibilities, preserve context between conversations and ask users for approval when important decisions require human judgment.
Key Takeaways
- Background AI assistant: Dots can continue working toward a goal between conversations instead of waiting for each new instruction.
- Powered by GPT-6 Astra: Each Dot has its own cloud computer and browser for carrying out tasks.
- Initial availability: Eligible Pro and Business Premium users are receiving access, while Enterprise, Edu and Healthcare workspaces can enable the beta.
- Connected applications: Dots can use supported connected apps and plugins within the permissions granted to them.
- Human oversight: Users can set rules, review progress and require approval for certain actions.
- No additional charge for the first Dot: One Dot is included with eligible plans, subject to the plan’s allowance for deeper work.
What Is OpenAI Dots?
Dots is OpenAI’s move toward persistent AI assistance. A conventional chatbot typically responds to a question or completes a task within a conversation. Dots is designed to maintain responsibility for an ongoing goal, determine what needs to happen next and return with results or questions when necessary.
For example, a user could ask a Dot to research a business opportunity, monitor a project for outstanding tasks or help organize information for a report. Instead of requiring the user to restart the process each time, the Dot can continue working between conversations and use relevant context to guide its next steps.
OpenAI describes Dots as always-on agents. That does not mean every task runs continuously at full computing capacity. The agent can pause, resume work and conduct background research as appropriate to the goal and its permissions.
The system is intended to make AI more useful for responsibilities that unfold over hours or days, particularly when work involves multiple tools, changing information and repeated follow-up.
How Dots Works in the Background
Each Dot operates using its own cloud computer and browser, allowing it to perform work without depending on the user’s computer being switched on. It can interact with supported websites, run software and use connected applications to complete assigned tasks.
The workflow generally follows four steps:
- Set a goal: The user explains what needs to be accomplished and provides relevant context.
- Connect the necessary tools: The user authorizes the applications or services the Dot needs.
- Allow the agent to work: The Dot researches, analyzes information and carries out permitted steps.
- Review the results: The user receives updates and can provide corrections, make decisions or approve sensitive actions.
Users can communicate with their Dot through ChatGPT on desktop, web and mobile apps, as well as supported messaging integrations such as Slack and Microsoft Teams. Setup is supported in the latest ChatGPT app on iOS or Android, the desktop app, or desktop web. Mobile web remains unsupported; desktop is used to connect messaging channels. Update, October 27, 2026: Current OpenAI setup guidance supports the latest mobile apps as well as desktop. The previous desktop-only setup statement has been updated.
Dots can also delegate work to other supported agents and create tasks in ChatGPT Work or Codex. Those tasks remain subject to the usage limits applicable to the relevant products.
What Can OpenAI Dots Do?
OpenAI’s launch announcement describes several applications for persistent agents, including software development, business administration, research and team coordination.
| Use case | How Dots could help |
|---|---|
| Business research | Gather information, analyze developments and prepare summaries |
| Project management | Track progress, identify outstanding work and flag potential delays |
| Document preparation | Research topics and prepare reports or other business documents |
| Software development | Delegate coding tasks and help investigate or resolve software issues |
| Customer support | Review information and help prepare responses through authorized tools |
| Team collaboration | Share progress and coordinate work through supported communication platforms |
For freelancers and small businesses, this model could be useful for recurring research, preparing content, organizing project files and following up on outstanding work. Larger organizations could use specialized agents for narrowly defined responsibilities, such as invoice processing, procurement or customer support.
However, access to a connected service does not automatically give a Dot unrestricted authority to act within it. Available capabilities depend on the application, the permissions granted and the safeguards governing each action.
Which ChatGPT Plans Include Dots?
OpenAI is rolling out Dots gradually rather than making the feature available to every ChatGPT user immediately.
| Plan | Availability |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT Pro | Rolling out to eligible users aged 18 and older in supported markets |
| Business Premium | Rolling out in supported regions, subject to workspace eligibility |
| Enterprise | Beta access when enabled by a workspace administrator |
| Education (Edu) | Beta access when enabled by a workspace administrator |
| Healthcare | Beta access when enabled by a workspace administrator |
| Free and Go | Not included in the initial rollout |
At launch, Pro access excludes the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Business Premium availability depends on supported regions and workspace requirements, while Enterprise, Edu and Healthcare administrators must enable beta access.
OpenAI says the first Dot is included with eligible Pro and Business Premium plans at no additional cost. The plan also includes an allowance for deeper work, with extended limits during the first month after launch. The company says future options may allow users to add more Dots or increase their speed or monthly workload.
Availability is gradual, so an eligible subscriber may not see the feature immediately. The latest OpenAI Help Center guidance provides current eligibility and setup information.
How OpenAI Is Addressing Security and Privacy
Giving an AI agent the ability to work independently creates risks that do not arise in the same way with a conventional chatbot. An agent might encounter malicious instructions on a webpage, misinterpret a request or attempt an action that the user did not intend.
OpenAI says Dots include additional safety and privacy safeguards. Each Dot’s cloud computer is separate from the user’s own computer unless the user explicitly connects it. Connected applications retain their existing permissions, and users can set custom rules to allow, require approval for or block specific actions.
The company also describes an automatic review process for actions that could affect accounts or disclose information. Depending on the action and the applicable safeguards, a Dot may proceed, request approval or require the user to complete the step themselves. Certain sensitive actions, such as changing a password, remain under user control.
Background research is designed to use read-only tools, preventing that research activity from independently sending messages, changing app content or controlling the user’s browser or computer.
These controls reduce risk but do not guarantee error-free behavior. OpenAI advises users to review consequential work and monitor agent activity.
Dots Versus Conventional ChatGPT
The distinction is primarily about how work continues.
| Feature | Conventional ChatGPT conversation | OpenAI Dots |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Answer questions and help with individual tasks | Manage ongoing responsibilities |
| Work between conversations | Usually requires a separate task or scheduled workflow | Designed to continue working toward assigned goals |
| Computing environment | Depends on the feature being used | Has its own cloud computer and browser |
| Context | Uses available conversation and memory context | Can carry relevant context and its own notes across interactions |
| Proactive updates | Depends on the feature | Can report progress and ask for decisions |
| Permissions | Depend on the tools connected | Uses connected-app permissions and additional agent safeguards |
Dots does not replace every other ChatGPT feature. ChatGPT remains useful for questions and explanations, ChatGPT Work supports delegated research and professional tasks, and Codex focuses on software development. Dots brings persistent goal management and follow-up into an ongoing assistant experience.
The Bigger Picture
The launch reflects the growing competition to build AI agents that can complete work rather than merely generate responses. As these systems gain access to browsers, software tools and business applications, the value of AI will increasingly depend on its ability to manage multi-step tasks reliably and retain useful context over time.
For OpenAI, Dots provides a way to combine persistent assistance, cloud computing and connected applications in one experience. For users, the potential benefit is less time spent coordinating routine work and more time available for decisions that require human judgment. The challenge will be ensuring that the convenience of autonomous execution does not come at the expense of privacy, accuracy or control.
FAQs
1. What is OpenAI Dots?
Dots is an always-on AI assistant powered by GPT-6 Astra. It can work in the background toward user-defined goals, use connected applications and return with results or questions that require attention.
2. Which ChatGPT plans include Dots?
The initial rollout covers eligible Pro and Business Premium users. Enterprise, Edu and Healthcare customers can access a beta when their workspace administrator enables it. Availability depends on market and account eligibility.
3. Does OpenAI Dots work when my computer is off?
Yes. Dots can continue cloud-based work on its own computer while the user’s device is off. Access to a connected local computer is different and requires that computer to be available.
4. Can Dots send messages or make changes without asking me?
It depends on the connected application, granted permissions, custom rules and built-in safeguards. Some actions may proceed independently, others require approval, and certain sensitive steps must be completed by the user.
5. Does Dots cost extra?
OpenAI says one Dot is included at no additional charge for eligible Pro and Business Premium subscribers. Deeper work is subject to the plan’s allowance and applicable usage terms.
Looking Ahead
The next phase of Dots will depend on how well it handles ongoing tasks across real-world workflows. Gradual expansion, deeper application integrations and specialized enterprise agents could make the system more useful for businesses that want to automate repeatable work while retaining oversight.
For users considering the feature, the best starting point is a clearly defined, low-risk responsibility with explicit boundaries. As persistent AI agents become more capable, their success will depend not just on how much work they can perform, but on whether users can understand, inspect and control what they do.
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