OpenAI releases dots proactive assistant

OpenAI released the AI agent Dots at DevDay, and CEO Sam Altman said it would "set a new standard for frontier AI privacy," while taking the opportunity to take a jab at Meta's rival product Muse for failing to protect user data. Meta had previously marketed Muse as a safer alternative to its predecessor OpenClaw, but after Muse launched, Meta itself could still access the data. A security researcher once disclosed a zero-day vulnerability that could take over Muse (since fixed), and 404 Media also reported multiple serious security issues before launch. Dots is currently only available to ChatGPT subscription tiers of $100 per month and above.

Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots have launched one after another, bringing always-on autonomous AI agents to mainstream consumers. Both use cute animated mascot designs, but Muse is free while Dots is paid. Dots also offers "expert" versions for marketing, legal, and accounting. The competition between the two focuses on privacy and security: users need to hand over sensitive data such as credit card information and email addresses, and it is unclear whether most people are willing to do so.

At its annual DevDay, OpenAI released an always-on AI agent called Dots, powered by the GPT-6 Astra model, which can proactively complete tasks and autonomously decide to browse the web. It is currently only available to Pro subscribers paying at least $100 per month, with future plans to bring it to the mass market. A reporter tested it, naming it Toolie, and had it search ChatGPT history and mark three to-do items, while also comparing it to Meta Muse, which they had used previously—the latter is free for anyone who downloads the app or visits the website. Both companies use cute appearances as one of their strategies to attract users, and experts say this design may lead users to develop emotional attachment to anthropomorphized software.

OpenAI released an always-online AI agent called Dots at DevDay 2026 in San Francisco, powered by its GPT-6 Astra model. It can continuously crawl the web and complete assigned tasks, pull context from connected apps, and gradually learn user preferences. The feature is available today to ChatGPT Pro subscribers at $100 per month, who can talk to it via ChatGPT, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. Pro users can also join a waitlist to contact their own Dot via iMessage or Android RCS text. Enterprise customers will get specialist Dots for accounting, email marketing, and legal analysis, which require explicit approval before performing sensitive operations such as installing software or changing passwords, and can enable Custom Rules to set boundaries.

OpenAI DevDay 2026 announced more than 20 releases, covering GPT-6 Astra, ChatGPT, Codex, API, as well as safety and new tools for developers.

OpenAI launched a proactive assistant called dots that can keep making progress on complex projects and everyday tasks. dots lets users stay in control while tasks move forward.