OpenAI Launches Dots: Always-On AI Agents

OpenAI unveiled Dots at DevDay 2026 on September 29, always-on AI agents powered by GPT-6 Astra that run on their own cloud computers and work independently on user goals 24/7. The agents can connect to over 4,000 apps, learn user preferences, and are included with Pro and Business Premium subscriptions in eligible markets. The announcement was part of more than 20 major releases, including GPT-6.1 Sol, a new model offering near-flagship intelligence at one-fifth of Astra's token cost.

OpenAI marked its DevDay 2026 conference on September 29 with over 20 major announcements, establishing a significant shift toward autonomous AI agents. The headline launch, Dots, represents a new class of AI assistants that operate continuously in the background, fundamentally different from traditional chatbot interactions. Each Dot runs on GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI's most capable model, and receives its own cloud-hosted computer and web browser, enabling it to execute tasks without human prompts.

The agents integrate with more than 4,000 applications through ChatGPT plugins and can learn user preferences from feedback to perform what OpenAI describes as "proactive research." Users can interact with Dots through ChatGPT, voice calls, Slack, Teams, with SMS integration coming soon. Critically, the agents follow built-in safety rules, with sensitive actions like password changes remaining under human control. Dots will be included at no extra cost for Pro and Business Premium subscribers in eligible markets, though Free and Plus tier users currently lack access.

Beyond Dots, OpenAI introduced GPT-6.1 Sol, an upgraded model designed specifically for agentic work that approaches GPT-6 Astra's performance on coding, computer use, and professional tasks while costing only one-fifth of Astra's standard token prices. The company also launched ChatGPT Space, a shared workspace where teams and AI agents collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real-time, bridging tools similar to Slack, Notion, and Google Drive.

The Agents API received significant enhancements, now supporting computer use-allowing agents to interact with software interfaces directly-alongside multi-agent workflows, tool search capabilities, and context management. OpenAI announced a partnership with Amazon to offer Bedrock Managed Agents, enabling these capabilities to run within AWS environments. The announcements collectively signal OpenAI's strategic pivot from conversational AI to an AI workforce capable of autonomous task execution and team collaboration.