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OpenAI Introduces ‘Tasks’ Beta Feature to Compete with Virtual Assistants

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On Tuesday, OpenAI unveiled a new beta feature called “Tasks” for ChatGPT, marking the company’s entry into the virtual assistant arena, aiming to compete with established platforms like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa. This feature allows ChatGPT users to request actions to be performed at a specified future time, such as one-time reminders for events like concert ticket sales or recurring tasks such as daily weather updates or weekly news briefings.

Based on interactions with users, ChatGPT will also proactively suggest tasks that users can choose to accept or decline. This new function broadens the scope of what ChatGPT can offer, making it more assistant-like, similar to Alexa and Siri.

The launch follows a growing trend where AI-powered systems are reshaping virtual assistant functionalities. Amazon, for example, has been revamping its Alexa service with generative AI capabilities to remain competitive, while Apple has incorporated its “Apple Intelligence” technology into Siri. In collaboration with Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Apple now seeks user consent before sending queries to OpenAI’s services.

OpenAI’s “Tasks” feature will be available to Plus, Team, and Pro users globally in the coming days, with the web platform being the first to get access.

 

OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Sora Services Resume Operations Following Major Outage

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OpenAI faced a significant service disruption on Thursday, affecting its widely-used ChatGPT chatbot, API services, and its text-to-image generation platform, Sora. The outage, which began around 1:30 PM ET on December 26 (12:00 AM IST, December 27), left thousands of users in the US and other regions unable to access these services. According to online outage monitoring platforms, the disruption persisted for nearly five hours before OpenAI confirmed that all systems were back to full functionality.

Reports from Down Detector, an outage monitoring platform, indicated a sharp spike in user complaints about ChatGPT access starting at 1:30 PM ET. Over 50,000 users reported issues within the first hour of the outage. At 2:00 PM ET, OpenAI acknowledged the problem through an update on its official status page, stating that they were dealing with high error rates across ChatGPT, the API, and Sora. This communication reassured users that the issue was being actively investigated.

The cause of the outage was later attributed to an “upstream provider,” although OpenAI did not elaborate further. Around the same time, Microsoft reported a power issue at one of its data centers. This problem disrupted several Microsoft services, including Microsoft 365, Azure, and Xbox cloud gaming, sparking speculation about a potential link between the two events. However, neither OpenAI nor Microsoft confirmed a direct connection between their respective outages.

By evening, OpenAI updated users that the affected platforms were fully operational once again. The outage underscored the growing reliance on AI-powered tools for both personal and professional use, as well as the challenges companies face in ensuring uninterrupted service. While OpenAI has not provided further details about the incident, the quick resolution highlights its commitment to maintaining service reliability and addressing issues promptly.

Apple Reportedly Negotiating with Tencent and ByteDance to Introduce iPhone AI Features in China

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Apple Explores AI Integration with Tencent and ByteDance for Chinese iPhones

Apple is reportedly in discussions with Chinese tech giants Tencent and ByteDance to integrate their artificial intelligence (AI) models into iPhones sold in China, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move signals Apple’s efforts to adapt to China’s stringent regulatory landscape while enhancing the functionality of its flagship devices in one of its largest markets.

The Cupertino-based company recently began rolling out OpenAI’s ChatGPT integration into its devices as part of the Apple Intelligence suite. This upgrade enables Siri to leverage the chatbot’s expertise, assisting users with complex queries, including those related to photos and documents. However, with ChatGPT unavailable in China due to regulatory restrictions, Apple is seeking local partnerships to bring similar functionality to Chinese users.

China’s strict regulations require generative AI services to obtain government approval before their public release. These restrictions have pushed Apple to collaborate with Tencent and ByteDance, two of the country’s leading tech companies, to ensure compliance while offering advanced AI features. Such partnerships are crucial as Apple faces increased competition and a shrinking market share in the region.

By aligning with trusted local firms, Apple aims to maintain its relevance in the Chinese market while navigating regulatory challenges. If successful, the collaboration could pave the way for a localized AI ecosystem that benefits both Apple and its users in China, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and adaptability.