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ChatGPT's New Tasks Mode: Simplifying Automation or Stepping Towards Smarter AI?

Penelope Silver


A futuristic illustration of ChatGPT's Tasks Mode in action. The image features a sleek digital interface with interconnected nodes, icons for task automation, scheduling, and management. Two humanoid AI figures are displayed in the center, symbolizing intelligent collaboration, with a glowing checkmark indicating completion. Surrounding elements include a circuit board motif, charts, a checklist, and a smartphone, representing productivity and organisation. The colour palette uses soft pastels, white, and metallic tones, creating a polished, beginner-friendly, and modern look.

The world of artificial intelligence (AI) is constantly evolving, and OpenAI has introduced an exciting new feature to ChatGPT: Tasks Mode.


But what does this mean for everyday users and businesses? Is it just another fancy update, or could it be the first step towards smarter AI systems? Let’s break it down in simple terms.


What Is ChatGPT’s Tasks Mode?

ChatGPT’s Tasks Mode allows you to schedule and manage tasks directly within your chat. It’s like having a virtual assistant that not only answers your questions but also helps you stay organised.


For example, you can:

  • Set daily reminders. But you can do that in Google calendar right?

  • Automate research tasks.

  • Schedule repeated activities.


However, this feature is still in beta, which means it’s being tested and isn’t perfect yet.


At the moment, Tasks Mode is only available to paid users, and there are limits, like being able to schedule up to ten tasks at a time.




A screenshot of the ChatGPT interface showing the "Tasks" feature. On the left, a dropdown menu highlights the model selection, with "GPT-4.0 with scheduled tasks (Beta)" selected. Other options include "GPT-4.0," "o1," and "o1-mini," with descriptions under each. Below the menu, there is a toggle for "Temporary chat." On the right, the main input area displays the prompt field with the text "What can I help with?" and options such as "Create image," "Help me write," "Get advice," and "Summarize text" at the bottom. The interface appears clean and user-friendly.


How Does Tasks Mode Work?


Using Tasks Mode is simple.


You can give ChatGPT instructions like:

"Remind me to submit my report at 10 a.m. tomorrow."


You can also ask it to perform a series of actions, such as researching a topic every morning or generating daily reports.


These tasks live inside specific chats, so you can manage them all in one place. If you delete the chat, the tasks linked to it will also be deleted.



What Makes Tasks Mode Special?


1. Context Tasking

Tasks Mode can remember the context of your conversation within a specific chat.


This allows it to create tasks based on personalised inputs. For instance, if you’re discussing a project, it can help you set reminders or tasks related to that project.


2. Task Stacking

One of the coolest features of Tasks Mode is the ability to stack tasks.


This means you can create a series of related tasks where the result of one task feeds into the next. For example:

  • Task 1: Research the latest AI trends.

  • Task 2: Summarise the most important trends.

  • Task 3: Suggest how to apply those trends to your business.

By stacking tasks, you can turn ChatGPT into a mini-agent that works through a sequence of actions for you.


3. More Than Just Reminders

Unlike regular task apps, Tasks Mode does more than remind you to do something.


It can manage information, complete research, and provide actionable insights, all tailored to your needs.


However, it has its limits for example it can't email you new summaries every morning, so I'll still be building automation to do this.


Where Tasks Mode Shines


Tasks Mode is especially useful for:

  • Students: Automating study schedules or daily revision tasks.

  • Small Businesses: Organising repetitive workflows like customer follow-ups or content creation.

  • Professionals: Managing meeting prep or tracking industry updates.


For example, a business owner could set a task to find and summarise daily marketing news.


This saves time and keeps them informed without manual effort.



What Are the Current Limitations?


As exciting as Tasks Mode is, it does have some challenges:

  • Task Limits: You can only schedule up to ten tasks at once.

  • Beta Bugs: Some tasks may be delayed or not run as expected.

  • Integration Gaps: Tasks Mode doesn’t yet work with other ChatGPT features like uploading files or using custom GPTs.



An image showing a ChatGPT Tasks interface. The left side lists task instructions titled "Notification and Follow-Up" and "Overall Approach." The Notification section outlines steps to highlight significant cases for review and maintain a log of reviewed cases. The Overall Approach section ensures reports are clear, accurate, and focused on impactful decisions. On the right, a user asks, "please can you test this right now for me?" ChatGPT responds, explaining it cannot monitor legal sources or send emails in real-time but offers to simulate the workflow using mock data. The user agrees by replying, "yes please.


Despite these limitations, OpenAI plans to refine the feature, which means we could see big improvements in the near future.


How Tasks Mode Brings Us Closer to Smarter AI


Tasks Mode hints at a future where AI can act more autonomously.


Right now, it’s like a smart helper that follows your instructions. But over time, it could evolve into something more independent — a system that anticipates your needs and takes action without you asking.


This concept of AI acting on its own is often called agentic AI, and Tasks Mode is a small but significant step in that direction.



How Can Beginners Start Using Tasks Mode?


Here are some simple steps to get started:

  1. Upgrade Your Account: Tasks Mode is available to paid ChatGPT users. (£20 per month).

  2. Activate Tasks Mode: Look for it in your account settings.

  3. Start Small: Set a daily task like a reminder or a simple research task.

  4. Experiment with Stacking: Try linking tasks together to see how they work.

Remember, Tasks Mode is still in beta, so don’t be discouraged if things don’t work perfectly.


Why Tasks Mode Is Worth Trying

While some might dismiss Tasks Mode as just another gimmick, it offers real potential for improving productivity and organisation.


From automating routine tasks to acting as a personal research assistant, it’s a tool that could make life easier for many users.


The best part? This is just the beginning. As OpenAI improves the feature, we can expect Tasks Mode to become even more powerful and versatile.



Conclusion


ChatGPT’s Tasks Mode is a step forward in making AI more practical and useful for everyday life.


Whether you’re a student, a business owner, or just someone looking to stay organised, this feature offers exciting possibilities.


While it’s not perfect yet, it’s worth exploring to see how it can simplify your daily routines and workflows.


The question isn’t whether Tasks Mode is a gimmick or a leap forward — it’s how you can make it work for you.


Why not give it a try and see what it can do?


FAQs

  1. What is the main purpose of Tasks Mode?Tasks Mode helps you schedule and manage tasks directly within ChatGPT, like setting reminders or automating workflows.

  2. Is Tasks Mode free to use?No, it’s currently only available to paid ChatGPT users.

  3. Can I use Tasks Mode with other ChatGPT features?Not yet. It doesn’t integrate with features like uploading files or using custom GPTs.

  4. What are the best use cases for beginners?Start with simple tasks like daily reminders or recurring research activities to get comfortable with the feature.

  5. Will Tasks Mode become more advanced in the future?Yes, OpenAI plans to improve it, potentially adding more capabilities and integrations.


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