OpenAI’s ChatGPT Adds Scheduled Tasks Feature in Beta

OpenAI Launches Beta Feature in ChatGPT: Scheduled Tasks

A New Era for ChatGPT

OpenAI is rolling out a new beta feature in ChatGPT, called Tasks, which allows users to schedule future actions and reminders. This feature is aimed at making ChatGPT more like a traditional digital assistant, with capabilities similar to Google Assistant or Siri, but with the advanced language abilities of ChatGPT.

How Tasks Work

Tasks enables users to tell ChatGPT what they need and when they need it done. Want a daily weather report at 7AM? A reminder about your passport expiration? Or maybe just a knock-knock joke to tell your kids before bedtime? ChatGPT can now handle all of that through scheduled one-time or recurring tasks.

To use the feature, subscribers need to select "4o with scheduled tasks" in ChatGPT’s model picker. From there, it’s as simple as typing out what you want ChatGPT to do and when you want it done. The system can also proactively suggest tasks based on your conversations, though users have to explicitly approve any suggestions before they’re created.

Managing Tasks

All tasks can be managed either directly in chat threads or through a new Tasks section (available only via the web) in the profile menu, so it’s easy to modify or cancel any task you’ve set up. Upon completion of these tasks, notifications will alert users on web, desktop, and mobile. There’s also a limit of 10 active tasks that can run simultaneously.

Will Tasks Remain a Premium Feature?

OpenAI hasn’t specified when (or if) the feature might come to free users, suggesting Tasks might remain a premium feature to help justify ChatGPT’s subscription costs. The company has monthly $20 and $200 subscription tiers.

Ambitions Beyond Scheduling

OpenAI’s ambitions for Tasks appear to stretch beyond simple scheduling, too. Bloomberg reported that "Operator," an autonomous AI agent capable of independently controlling computers, is slated for release this month. Meanwhile, reverse engineer Tibor Blaho found that OpenAI appears to be working on something codenamed "Caterpillar" that could integrate with Tasks and allow ChatGPT to search for specific information, analyze problems, summarize data, navigate websites, and access documents — with users receiving notifications upon task completion.

Conclusion

The rise of "agentic" AI in 2025 isn’t just about technological advancement — it’s about economics. These agent-like features represent a strategic way to monetize expensive AI infrastructure. While OpenAI’s decision to put this functionality behind ChatGPT’s paywall was predictable, the real question remains: will it deliver reliable results? The coming months will reveal whether the team has solved these fundamental reliability challenges.

FAQs

Q: What is Tasks?
A: Tasks is a new feature in ChatGPT that allows users to schedule future actions and reminders.

Q: How do I use Tasks?
A: To use Tasks, select "4o with scheduled tasks" in ChatGPT’s model picker and type out what you want ChatGPT to do and when you want it done.

Q: Can I manage my tasks?
A: Yes, you can manage your tasks either directly in chat threads or through the new Tasks section in the profile menu.

Q: Will Tasks remain a premium feature?
A: OpenAI hasn’t specified when (or if) the feature might come to free users, suggesting Tasks might remain a premium feature to help justify ChatGPT’s subscription costs.