OpenAI Launches New Assistant Amidst Competitive Race in AI Automation
OpenAI's new AI assistant launch coincides with competitive moves by xAI to enhance coding capabilities.
Key Points
- • OpenAI's assistant can manage tasks like shopping and reservations.
- • OpenAI implemented safeguards for the assistant against harmful actions.
- • xAI is training its Grok model to outperform Anthropic's Claude in coding.
- • Performance on AI leaderboards is vital for gaining industry recognition.
On July 17, 2025, OpenAI unveiled a new personal assistant feature for ChatGPT designed to execute a variety of tasks, from making restaurant reservations to shopping online. This robust assistant can control files and interact with web applications, marking a significant evolution in task automation technology. The launch, which is currently limited to users subscribed to premium versions of ChatGPT, comes shortly after similar moves by Google and Anthropic, reflecting a broader trend of integrating AI agents into everyday tasks.
However, OpenAI is cautioning users about the risks associated with this enhanced capability, specifically concerning biological hazards. "While we don’t have definitive evidence that the model could meaningfully help a novice create severe biological harm, we are exercising caution and implementing the needed safeguards now," the company stated. Moreover, tasks executed by the assistant require user consent for significant actions, maintaining a necessary level of user control.
Adding a competitive layer to the landscape is Elon Musk’s xAI, which is reportedly hiring contractors to train its AI model, Grok, to surpass Anthropic's Claude in performance on coding tasks. This competitive move underscores the importance of AI leaderboards that play a crucial role in attracting investment and recognition within the AI community, confirming that the race for coding excellence continues to intensify.