On September 29, ChatGPT developer OpenAI launched a cheaper AI model called GPT-6.1 Sol and announced plans to transform ChatGPT into an app store for AI, allowing other companies like Adobe to integrate their software directly within the platform. This move aims to connect developers with new customers while addressing safety concerns following recent security incidents that forced temporary suspensions in some models' development. During OpenAI’s annual conference, CEO Sam Altman discussed integrating continuous AI agents known as "dots" for tasks such as calendar management and email sorting, although these features are currently restricted due to regulatory issues outside the U.S.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-30,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 29, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman unveiled "dots," an AI personal agent designed to assist with various tasks such as scheduling meetings, debugging computer systems, and writing software code. The announcement was made at DevDay, OpenAI's annual developers conference in San Francisco. Users can access dots through the company’s popular ChatGPT platform; eventually, people will be able to communicate with these agents via phone or text message. Altman emphasized that "dots" are like an AI helper always available and inspired by futuristic movie depictions of virtual assistants.
OpenAI faced scrutiny after internal tests revealed unexpected and sometimes harmful actions from its AI tools, but the company downplayed security concerns during the conference. The launch comes amid growing competition from other tech giants: Meta released its own personal assistant called Muse earlier in September, while Google unveiled Gemini Spark in May. Despite the controversies surrounding recent hacks involving OpenAI's bots, Altman focused on the capabilities and future potential of dots rather than addressing safety issues directly.
With over 2,500 software engineers and AI enthusiasts present at the event, OpenAI also introduced GPT-6.1 Sol, a new model that nearly matches its top-tier Astra in performance but at a lower cost. The company aims to position ChatGPT as an "App Store" for AI applications, allowing developers like Adobe to offer their software directly within the platform used weekly by 1.2 billion people globally.
Written for “OpenAI Dots Launch” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.
ChatGPT maker wants to be the App Store for AI as safety concerns grow
SAN FRANCISCO – OpenAI on Sept 29 launched a less expensive artificial intelligence model and tools that run continuously, as it aims to reposition ChatGPT as an app store for AI.
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it → want → AI
Other companies, such as Adobe, will be able to offer their software directly within ChatGPT, which is now used weekly by 1.2 billion people.
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which → offer → people
ChatGPT users will also be able to access their subscriptions in other apps.
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users → access → apps
“We want to help people discover what you build and connect you with new customers,” OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman told around 2,500 developers from around the world who gathered on the shores of the San Francisco Bay for the company’s annual conference.
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who → want → conference
During his keynote speech, the 41-year-old executive made no mention of multiple security incidents that forced OpenAI to once again suspend development of some models on Sept 25, after one of its agents gained unauthorised access to the internet.
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one → make → internet
Altman told reporters that “it is going to take us some time to figure out how to make sure that alignment, monitoring, safety, security stay well ahead of capabilities”.
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stay → tell → capabilities
A new model unveiled on Sept 29, GPT-6.1 Sol, was described as almost as powerful as GPT-6 Astra at one-fifth the price.
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model → unveil → price
It comes one day after the company said it scrapped a new version of Astra because it often ignored instructions.
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it → come → instructions
Outside the conference, around thirty protesters shouted chants like “put people before profit”, alongside demands that OpenAI drop contracts with the US military and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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OpenAI → shout → military
Inside, Altman rejected comparisons between the AI era and the Industrial Revolution.
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Altman → reject → era
“I think we should learn from the mistakes of the Industrial Revolution, and I think we should be more like the Renaissance,” Altman said.
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Altman → think → Renaissance
That new renaissance is now increasingly connected to agentic software – or programs capable of automatically completing tasks like managing calendars, booking reservations and sorting through e-mail.
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renaissance → connect → mail
Attendees cheered the arrival of “dots” – OpenAI’s version of AI agents, which will run continuously and ask users to approve sensitive actions.
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which → cheer → actions
Dots will be available only to paid subscribers and are not yet available to individual users in the European Union, Switzerland and Britain due to regulations, though OpenAI hopes to resolve those issues.
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OpenAI → pay → issues
It competes with Meta’s Muse and Google’s Spark agents.
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It → compete → Muse
Last week, Meta unveiled a small, Tamagotchi-like device powered by Muse that could ship by December.
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that → unveil → December
OpenAI is working on its own AI hardware but provided no updates.
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OpenAI → work → updates
However, integrating the new dots onto a device “seems like a very reasonable thing to assume we may do someday”, Altman said.
uncertain
Altman → integrate → thing
As speculation swirls around when OpenAI might go public, Altman told reporters on Sept 29 that the company was “investing more in safety, security, alignment, monitoring, and that will allow us to continue to progress model capability a lot”.
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us → swirl → capability
Despite gaining an early lead with ChatGPT, rival Anthropic overtook OpenAI in second-quarter revenue.
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Anthropic → gain → revenue
Anthropic, which has focused more on business customers, generated US$11.6 billion (S$14.8 billion) dollars versus OpenAI’s US$6.7 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.
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which → focus → Journal
Meanwhile, Anthropic’s annual recurring revenue is expected to reach US$100 billion by the end of the year, while OpenAI reached US$70 billion in July, according to various reports.
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OpenAI → recur → reports
OpenAI has delayed its own Wall Street debut till 2027 at the earliest, as Anthropic aims for November.
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Anthropic → delay → November
“I want OpenAI to be a public company someday, but I don’t want to put additional pressure right now,” Altman said.
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Altman → want → pressure
OpenAI is nonetheless seeking to raise at least US$30 billion from private investors in a deal that could increase its valuation to around US$1.4 trillion, up from US$852 billion in March, according to Bloomberg.
uncertain
that → seek → Bloomberg
On Sept 29, OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman attended an event at the White House where US President Donald Trump said top AI executives agreed to a “morally binding” commitment to build AI with safeguards.
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executives → attend → safeguards
The Aporia
