OpenAI Introduces 'Tasks' to Compete with Siri and Google Assistant

On January 14, 2025, OpenAI unveiled 'Tasks', a

integrated into ChatGPT, enabling users to issue powered by advanced artificial intelligence. This development positions OpenAI as a competitor to traditional virtual assistants like Siri and Google Assistant.

Tasks allows users to perform a range of actions, from basic commands to booking movie tickets, and setting up

such as weekly news summaries or daily weather updates. Based on user conversations, Tasks can proactively suggest actions, which users can accept, decline, or schedule for a specific time.

Currently, Tasks is available on the web version of ChatGPT for Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers, with mobile app

expected in the coming days. To utilize Tasks, users should select the GPT-4 model. All tasks can be managed directly within chat threads or via the 'New Tasks' button, with a current limit of ten active tasks .

This initiative reflects OpenAI's ambition to expand ChatGPT's role beyond text-based conversations into the realm of voice-activated virtual assistants. Reports suggest that OpenAI is also developing 'Operator', an AI agent capable of independently operating a computer, and a tool codenamed 'Caterpillar', which integrates Tasks to enable ChatGPT to search for specific information, analyze issues, summarize data,

websites, and access documents, notifying users upon task completion.

Other companies are similarly enhancing their virtual assistants with AI integration. Apple is incorporating Apple Intelligence into Siri for voice-activated tasks, and Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy announced in December 2024 that an improved version of Alexa, capable of performing actions without prompts, is expected to launch in the coming months.