OpenAI introduced dots, always-on GPT-6 Astra agents with their own cloud computers

Archive entry: this covers an event from September 29, 2026, and we published it on November 8, 2026. The details come from sources dated at the time and may have changed since.

On September 29, 2026, OpenAI introduced dots, always-on agents powered by GPT-6 Astra, as described in Introducing dots.

What dots offered

• Always on: dots were persistent background agents powered by GPT-6 Astra, not on-demand chat sessions.
• Cloud computer and apps: each dot had its own cloud computer and could connect to more than 4,000 apps.
• Reach: dots could be reached in ChatGPT, Slack and Teams, and by voice call, with texting announced as a planned channel.
• Features: read-only proactive research, Custom Rules, an Activity View and auto-review.
• Integration: dots integrated with Microsoft Agent 365.

What it meant for builders

OpenAI was moving from on-demand chat to persistent background agents, a product category that overlaps with agent platforms and automation tools. For builders of those platforms and tools, dots were an OpenAI product in the same category, reachable from ChatGPT, Slack, Teams and voice calls.

Availability and sources

Dots were rolling out in ChatGPT to Pro and Business Premium users in eligible markets. A beta for Enterprise, Edu and Healthcare required admin enablement, and specialist dots were in preview with enterprise pilots. The announcement also appeared in the OpenAI news RSS feed, and an archived copy on the Internet Archive preserves the page.

Sources

• Introducing dots (OpenAI, September 29, 2026, official)
• OpenAI News RSS feed (item: Introducing dots) (OpenAI, September 29, 2026, official)
• Introducing dots (archived copy) (Internet Archive (Wayback snapshot of openai.com), September 29, 2026)

Written with AI assistance, strictly from the sources listed above. Before it went live, automated checks verified its dates, sources and every language edition.