OpenAI launches ChatGPT Work for long-running tasks

OpenAI has unveiled ChatGPT Work, a new tool designed to handle extended projects that might take hours, finally addressing a major gripe from its earlier agent mode in the Atlas browser—tasks that kept stopping after a few minutes. The company encourages users to test it on familiar chores like analyzing budgets or prepping sales meetings, and claims it can automate full workflows, such as going from customer research to creating targeted marketing materials, all while pausing for your approval on key decisions. ChatGPT Work also brings Scheduled Tasks, an upgraded version of cron jobs that can run automatically on a schedule or when specific events occur, even when you’re away from your desk and manageable from your phone. It integrates with workplace tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, and SharePoint through custom plugins, and the desktop version can access local files or use a built-in browser to pull online resources. A new Chrome extension lets you handle web-native tasks without leaving your browser, and OpenAI is sunsetting its dedicated Atlas web browser after less than nine months. Why it matters: This shift from short-lived agents to persistent, approval-based automation signals OpenAI’s push to make AI a reliable, long-term partner in real-world work, not just a flashy demo.