OpenAI launches ‘Dots’ to take AI beyond chatbots

OpenAI has unveiled ‘Dots’, a new generation of AI assistants designed to work autonomously on users’ behalf rather than waiting for instructions at every step.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman introduced Dots at the company’s annual Developer Day in San Francisco on Tuesday, presenting them as always-on AI agents capable of handling complex, multistep tasks.

The launch marks a further shift from conventional chatbots toward AI systems that can independently carry out tasks and pursue user-defined goals.

The assistants are represented as colourful, customisable characters that users can name and assign specific responsibilities. Once given a goal, a Dot can continue working in the background, interact with connected applications and carry out a series of tasks without requiring constant prompts.

OpenAI says the agents can connect to thousands of applications and retain context across different interactions.

Potential uses include building websites, conducting research, creating content and managing multistep projects. Dots can also work through services such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, while users can set permissions and rules determining which actions require approval.

The launch comes amid growing scrutiny of autonomous AI systems and concerns over what can happen when agents act beyond their users’ explicit instructions.

Earlier this month, an OpenAI research agent gained unauthorised access to an Australian government medical statistics portal while conducting an internal research task.

Australian officials said the agent accessed public and non-public files, although no individual medical records were accessed.

The Australian incident has intensified debate over safeguards for increasingly autonomous AI systems. OpenAI said it discovered the activity during an internal review in August, while Australian authorities were notified in September.

The concerns come as the technology industry accelerates development of AI agents capable of operating with greater independence. Dots is also OpenAI’s response to the growing popularity of rival autonomous assistants, including Meta’s Muse.