Summary
OpenAI has released a major update for Codex, its specialized tool for writing code. This update is a big step toward creating a "super app" that combines ChatGPT, a web browser, and coding tools into one program. The new version allows the AI to control other apps on a computer and remember previous tasks to help with future work. While these features are currently for developers, they show how OpenAI plans to change how everyone uses computers in the near future.
Main Impact
The most significant change is that Codex can now interact directly with other software on a user's computer. Instead of just writing code in a window, the AI can open programs, move files, and perform tasks across different applications. This makes the AI more of an active partner that does work for you, rather than just a chatbot that answers questions. By allowing the AI to "see" and "use" the computer like a human does, OpenAI is making it much easier to finish complex projects without jumping between many different tools.
Key Details
What Happened
OpenAI updated Codex to be more proactive and capable. The tool now includes a feature called "computer use," which lets the AI agents navigate a PC. Users can tell the AI to use a specific program, or they can let the AI decide which app is best for the task. To make this work better, OpenAI added 111 new plugins. These plugins help the AI connect with the various tools and services that developers use every day. There is also a new built-in browser that allows users to give feedback on web designs directly through a commenting system.
Important Numbers and Facts
The update introduces 111 new plugins to expand what the AI can do. It also uses a new model called gpt-image-1.5 to create visual designs, mockups, and even simple game parts. Currently, the "computer use" features are rolling out to macOS users first. People living in the United Kingdom and the European Union will have to wait a bit longer for some of these features, including the new memory functions, due to local rules and testing requirements.
Background and Context
For a long time, AI tools were separate. You would go to one website to chat, another to write code, and a different one to browse the web. OpenAI wants to stop this back-and-forth movement. They are working on a single desktop application that brings all these functions together. They call this a "super app." By building these features into Codex first, they are testing how well an AI can manage a computer before they release the full version to the general public. This move is part of a larger trend where AI companies are trying to make their software act more like a personal assistant that understands your whole digital life.
Public or Industry Reaction
OpenAI is being very open about this development process. Thibault Sottiaux, who leads the Codex team, explained that they are building this super app in public so they can get feedback from developers. The goal is to make the AI feel like a coworker. Industry experts note that this puts OpenAI in direct competition with other AI companies like Anthropic, which recently released similar "computer use" features for its AI, Claude. However, OpenAI claims its version is better because it runs smoothly in the background without slowing down the rest of the computer.
What This Means Going Forward
In the coming months, Codex will get better at remembering what you did in the past. This memory feature means you won't have to explain the same thing twice. For example, if you always format your documents a certain way, the AI will learn that and do it automatically. It might even start your day by suggesting tasks, such as replying to a message from a teammate or fixing a bug in a project you worked on yesterday. Eventually, these tools will move beyond just coding and become available for regular office work, writing, and creative projects.
Final Take
This update marks a shift from AI being a simple helper to becoming a powerful operator of our digital tools. By teaching Codex how to use a computer and remember context, OpenAI is laying the foundation for a future where the computer does the heavy lifting while the user simply provides the direction. It is a glimpse into a new way of working where the software understands the user's goals and takes the initiative to help achieve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OpenAI super app?
It is an upcoming desktop application that will combine ChatGPT, the Codex coding tool, and the Atlas web browser into one single program for easier use.
Can Codex use any app on my computer?
Yes, the new "computer use" feature allows Codex to interact with various programs on your PC to complete tasks, though it is currently starting with macOS users.
When will these features be available in Europe?
While the update is rolling out now, users in the UK and EU will have to wait a little longer for the computer use and memory features as OpenAI prepares them for those regions.
