OpenAI introduces scheduled tasks functionality within ChatGPT, enhancing user productivity. (Illustrative AI-generated image).
At a Glance
OpenAI has launched a new Scheduled Tasks feature for ChatGPT, enabling users to set reminders and automate future queries starting June 17, 2026. Concurrently, the company is discontinuing its daily news digest service, Pulse. This strategic shift moves OpenAI from passive information delivery to active, user-driven automation, enhancing ChatGPT’s role as a personal assistant and productivity platform.
- OpenAI introduces Scheduled Tasks in ChatGPT for setting reminders and automating future queries.
- The Pulse daily news digest service is being discontinued by OpenAI.
- Scheduled Tasks allows users to set one-time or recurring tasks using natural language.
- This feature enhances ChatGPT’s functionality as a personal assistant and productivity tool.
- The discontinuation of Pulse signals a strategic shift towards user-driven automation over passive content delivery.
- Users can recreate a news digest experience using Scheduled Tasks by setting up custom prompts.
OpenAI Launches Scheduled Tasks in ChatGPT, Discontinues Pulse Service
OpenAI has rolled out a new scheduled tasks feature for ChatGPT, allowing users to set reminders and automate future queries. The update also includes the discontinuation of its daily news digest service, Pulse.
The Scheduled Tasks feature began rolling out on June 17, 2026. This strategic pivot shifts OpenAI’s focus from passive information delivery to active, user-driven automation, integrating ChatGPT more deeply into users’ daily workflows.
OpenAI states the new capability lets users pre-assign future tasks and set reminders, enhancing ChatGPT’s role as a personal assistant. This move aims to transform ChatGPT into a comprehensive productivity platform capable of handling complex, time-sensitive requests without constant user input.
What is OpenAI Scheduled Tasks in ChatGPT?
Scheduled Tasks is a new feature within ChatGPT that allows users to instruct the AI to perform actions at specific times or on a regular schedule. It bridges the gap between real-time chat and autonomous execution, enabling users to delegate repetitive or time-sensitive actions to ChatGPT.
For instance, users can ask ChatGPT to set hourly break reminders, provide daily news summaries on a chosen topic, or check the weather each morning. The system will then execute these requests automatically. This functionality leverages ChatGPT’s natural language processing, requiring no special syntax-a request with a time element is sufficient to trigger the scheduling interface.
While other AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant offer similar reminder and scheduling features, ChatGPT’s approach is more flexible. Unlike assistants that often rely on predefined intents and specific request structures, ChatGPT’s large language models can interpret a wider variety of phrasing and complex, multi-step instructions.
ChatGPT’s version stands out due to its use of large language models for understanding more complex requests. Beyond simple reminders, it can handle tasks like researching a topic and presenting findings at a designated time. For example, a user might request, “Every Monday at 9 AM, give me a summary of the latest breakthroughs in renewable energy from the past week.” ChatGPT will autonomously perform this research and deliver a concise report, opening new use cases for professionals needing regular updates without manual effort.
While exact functionality details are still emerging, early reports indicate support for one-time, daily, weekly, and monthly recurring schedules. It remains unclear if specific model versions like GPT-4 are required or if the feature is available to both free and subscribed users. More specifics are expected as the rollout progresses.
How to Use Scheduled Tasks in ChatGPT
Using Scheduled Tasks in ChatGPT is designed to be straightforward. Users can initiate tasks by opening ChatGPT on their preferred platform-web, iOS, or Android-and typing a request that includes a specific time or schedule. The feature is integrated directly into the standard chat interface.
For example, a user might say, “Remind me to buy groceries at 5 PM every Tuesday” or “Give me a daily briefing on tech news at 8 AM.” ChatGPT will interpret the natural language input and recognize the temporal component of the request.
ChatGPT will identify this as a scheduled task and prompt the user for confirmation. Once confirmed, the system stores the task for execution at the specified time. This confirmation step ensures users are aware of and can verify the scheduled task. Users can also modify or cancel tasks, potentially through the conversation thread or a dedicated management interface, though details on management UI are limited at launch.
The feature supports recurring tasks, including daily, weekly, or monthly schedules, directly within the standard ChatGPT interface. This low-friction design encourages organic discovery and use as users converse with ChatGPT.
The rollout began on June 17, and it may take time to reach all users across web, iOS, and Android. Some users have reported seeing the feature on the web version first, while mobile users might need to update their app. This staggered release allows OpenAI to monitor performance and address any issues before global availability.
Pulse Discontinued: What Users Need to Know
Alongside the introduction of Scheduled Tasks, OpenAI has discontinued its Pulse service, a daily news digest for users. This decision was confirmed by OpenAI, as reported by GIGAZINE.
Pulse offered a personalized news digest, compiling headlines and summaries based on user interests from various online sources. It served as a convenient daily briefing, saving users time from manually scanning multiple news sites.
The simultaneous shutdown of Pulse and launch of Scheduled Tasks suggests a strategic shift. Pulse was a passive, read-only service, whereas Scheduled Tasks is interactive and customizable. OpenAI likely prioritizes enabling user-driven workflows over providing a standardized news feed.
This change indicates a move from passive news delivery to more active, scheduled interactions. While some users may miss Pulse, OpenAI has not provided a direct replacement. However, users can create a custom scheduled task to mimic the digest, such as “Every morning at 7 AM, give me a summary of top stories in technology, science, and business.” This approach offers more control over content sourcing and style, though it requires initial setup.
Industry Reaction and Implications
The launch of Scheduled Tasks positions ChatGPT in more direct competition with established AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. While these assistants have offered reminders and automation for years, ChatGPT introduces a conversational advantage, handling ambiguity and multi-step requests more fluidly.
ChatGPT’s ability to understand natural language and generate detailed responses allows for more complex tasks than simple reminders. Professionals can schedule weekly reviews of academic papers, extract key findings, and compile summaries. Executives can set up daily competitor monitoring reports that synthesize web information.
The feature has been called a “game changer” by outlets like Moneycontrol for its workflow automation potential, with The Times of India highlighting productivity gains. Early social media reactions are largely positive, praising the ease of setup and response quality, particularly for research-oriented tasks.
The discontinuation of Pulse, however, raises questions about OpenAI’s product strategy. Shifting from a passive news service to active task scheduling emphasizes interactivity. This move may stem from user feedback valuing task execution within ChatGPT over mere content consumption. It also signals OpenAI’s willingness to sunset older features for newer ones.
While some users may be disappointed by the loss of Pulse, OpenAI has not announced a replacement digest feature. Users can recreate a similar experience using Scheduled Tasks by setting up custom prompts for daily briefings, gaining precise control over content tailoring.
What’s Next for ChatGPT Features?
OpenAI has consistently expanded ChatGPT’s capabilities, introducing features like voice conversations, image analysis, DALL-E integration, internet browsing, and memory. Scheduled Tasks represents the latest step toward making ChatGPT a proactive personal assistant.
While future announcements are pending, the trend suggests a continued focus on automation and personal assistant features. Potential additions could include calendar integration for proactive task setting based on events, or smart home control. Third-party API integrations for services like CRM updates or social media posting are also possibilities, pending security and authorization considerations.
Scheduled Tasks may eventually connect with external services like calendars or smart home devices, though this is unconfirmed. OpenAI’s cautious approach to API access is understandable given privacy and accuracy concerns. Partnerships with major platforms like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 could emerge as the ecosystem matures.
The Scheduled Tasks feature is rolling out gradually and should appear automatically in the ChatGPT interface once enabled server-side. Users are advised to keep their app updated.
For users seeking a daily news digest similar to Pulse, setting up a custom scheduled task is recommended. This allows for personalized briefings with specified length, tone, focus areas, and source selection. Users can create custom digests by crafting specific prompts, offering more control than the original Pulse service.
This workaround demonstrates how Scheduled Tasks can fill the gap left by Pulse and potentially replace other third-party reminder or summary tools. The ability to schedule virtually any ChatGPT interaction opens up possibilities previously limited to developer-built integrations.
In essence, OpenAI is advancing with a more powerful scheduling tool while phasing out a simpler news service. This change reflects a broader AI trend from passive information delivery to active, user-controlled automation. Scheduled Tasks aims to make ChatGPT a more proactive partner, handling tasks from simple reminders to complex research briefings. For those who relied on Pulse, the message is that the future lies in user-created customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new Scheduled Tasks feature in ChatGPT?
Scheduled Tasks is a new feature in ChatGPT that allows users to set reminders or schedule the AI to perform actions at specific times or on a recurring basis. It uses natural language processing, so you can simply tell ChatGPT what you want it to do and when.
When did the Scheduled Tasks feature launch?
The Scheduled Tasks feature began rolling out to users on June 17, 2026. The rollout is staggered, so it may take some time to become available to all users across different platforms.
What happened to the Pulse service?
OpenAI has discontinued its Pulse service, which provided users with a daily personalized news digest. The company did not provide a specific reason for its discontinuation.
Can I still get news summaries from ChatGPT?
While Pulse is discontinued, you can use the new Scheduled Tasks feature to create your own custom news summaries. You can set a daily or weekly task for ChatGPT to provide updates on topics you choose, giving you more control over the content.
How do I use Scheduled Tasks in ChatGPT?
To use Scheduled Tasks, simply type your request into the ChatGPT chat interface, including the desired time or schedule. For example, 'Remind me to call Mom every Sunday at 3 PM.' ChatGPT will recognize the temporal component and prompt you to confirm the task.
Is Scheduled Tasks available on all ChatGPT platforms?
The feature is rolling out across web, iOS, and Android platforms. Availability may vary initially, with some users seeing it on the web version before mobile apps. It's recommended to keep your ChatGPT app updated.
How is ChatGPT's Scheduled Tasks different from other AI assistants?
ChatGPT's Scheduled Tasks leverage its advanced large language models to understand more complex and nuanced requests compared to the often rigid, predefined commands of assistants like Siri or Alexa. This allows for more flexible and sophisticated automation.
