OpenAI has unveiled Dots, a new kind of always-on AI agent, at DevDay 2026. Built on the company’s flagship GPT-6 Astra model, Dots are designed to keep working after an employee closes the chat window, monitoring projects, using software, responding to changing information and bringing completed work back for approval.
Each Dot gets its own cloud computer and browser. Through OpenAI’s plugin ecosystem, it can connect to more than 4,000 applications and communicate with users via ChatGPT, Slack and Microsoft Teams. Over time, it learns an individual’s preferences, standards and working habits. Dots will be available in ChatGPT on the mobile app and website, and CEO Sam Altman said they will soon reach other messaging apps and even phone calls.
OpenAI’s examples show how continuous work could play out. A developer’s Dot can track customer feedback, spot recurring bugs, build and test small fixes, and return pull requests with demo videos. A marketing Dot can revise launch material when a product changes, while a sales Dot can keep a proposal current as a deal evolves. A content Dot can turn an interview transcript into clips, show notes and social posts.
Dots arrive alongside ChatGPT Space, a shared workspace where employees, ChatGPT, Codex and Dots collaborate on the same Pages and files.
Control is central to the launch. Background research is read-only, Custom Rules let users allow, block or require approval for actions, and an Activity View shows what a Dot has done. Password changes remain with humans, and OpenAI advises reviewing consequential work, since Dots can still make mistakes.
