OpenAI launched a scheduled tasks center for ChatGPT in late May 2026, aiming to transform the chatbot into something closer to a personal assistant. The feature arrives at a difficult moment. ChatGPT’s market share among AI assistants just dropped below 50% for the first time, while OpenAI burned through $34 billion in a single year.
TL;DR: OpenAI launched a scheduled tasks center for ChatGPT, letting users automate future actions without remembering them. ChatGPT’s market share dropped below 50% for the first time, while OpenAI burned $34 billion in 2025 alone.
What Are Scheduled Tasks in ChatGPT?
Scheduled tasks represent a new feature that lets users instruct ChatGPT to perform specific actions at future times without manual prompting. According to android.com.pl, OpenAI designed this functionality to help users better manage tasks that ChatGPT will execute in the future, eliminating the need to remember every recurring action manually.
The core idea is simple. You tell ChatGPT what to do and when. The system handles the rest autonomously. This moves ChatGPT closer to behaving like a genuine digital assistant rather than a reactive chatbot that only responds when prompted.
Previously, users had to initiate every interaction themselves. Want a daily summary of news? You had to ask each time. Need a weekly report compiled? Same process repeated manually. The new tasks center changes this model by allowing users to set up recurring or one-time actions that trigger automatically based on a defined schedule.
The feature addresses a real limitation. Competing products from Google and Anthropic have been adding similar automation capabilities, putting pressure on OpenAI to match functionality. With market share slipping below the 50% threshold reported by Sensor Tower, retaining users requires more than conversational ability alone.
Scheduled tasks also integrate with ChatGPT’s broader evolution toward complex workflows. The developer mode and MCP applications described in OpenAI’s documentation allow actions that go beyond simple read and search operations. Users can build interactive applications with full MCP support, and scheduled tasks can trigger these workflows automatically.
How Does the New Task Scheduling Center Work?
The scheduling center functions as a dedicated hub where users can view, manage, and configure all their planned ChatGPT actions in one place. Based on reporting from android.com.pl, the center consolidates task management so users no longer need to remember every instruction they gave the assistant.
Users create a task by describing what they want done and specifying timing. ChatGPT interprets the natural language instruction and schedules it. Tasks can be set for specific dates, recurring intervals, or relative timeframes. The system stores these instructions and executes them when the scheduled moment arrives.
The center provides visibility into all active tasks. Users can review what is planned, modify existing schedules, or cancel tasks they no longer need. This addresses a common frustration with automated assistants — the inability to see what has been queued up in the background.
Several task types are supported based on available documentation and reporting:
- Daily briefings — morning summaries of news, weather, calendar events compiled automatically
- Weekly reports — aggregated data analysis delivered on a chosen day each week
- Content monitoring — tracking specific topics or sources for new information on a schedule
- Reminder sequences — multi-step prompts that chain together over time
- Research tasks — periodic deep dives into subjects that require ongoing investigation
- Data collection — gathering and structuring information from connected tools
- MCP application triggers — launching custom apps built in developer mode on a timer
- Translation batches — processing documents or text queues at scheduled intervals
| Task Category | Trigger Type | Example Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Information | Recurring daily | Morning news digest |
| Analysis | Recurring weekly | Sales data summary |
| Monitoring | Continuous | Competitor price tracking |
| Workflow | One-time future | Report generation for specific date |
| Integration | Event-based | MCP app execution |
The scheduling center connects to ChatGPT’s broader tool ecosystem. According to OpenAI’s developer documentation, MCP applications can perform actions that go beyond reading and searching — they include interactive user interfaces and full MCP protocol support. Scheduled tasks can leverage these capabilities, meaning automated workflows are not limited to text generation alone.
This matters for power users. Someone paying $200 monthly for ChatGPT Pro can now automate complex multi-step processes without babysitting each execution. The tasks run on their own schedule.
Who Can Access the Scheduled Tasks Feature?
OpenAI has been rolling out scheduled tasks progressively, with availability tied to subscription tier and region. The feature launched first for paid subscribers, consistent with OpenAI’s pattern of introducing advanced capabilities to ChatGPT Plus and Pro users before broader release.
Free users historically wait longer for new features. OpenAI’s help center documentation indicates that certain promotions and capabilities are reserved exclusively for new ChatGPT Plus subscribers — individuals who have never held a Plus subscription before. This suggests the company uses feature access as both a retention tool and an acquisition incentive.
The timing is strategic. With ChatGPT’s market share falling below 50% according to Sensor Tower data reported by Notebookcheck.pl, OpenAI needs to give current subscribers reasons to stay while attracting new ones. Exclusive access to task scheduling creates differentiation from free alternatives.
Regional availability also varies. Features typically launch in the United States first, followed by gradual expansion to other markets. Users in supported regions with active paid subscriptions receive the scheduling center through a server-side update — no app installation or configuration is required.
The competitive context matters here. Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude have been gaining popularity, as the Notebookcheck.pl report highlights users becoming increasingly willing to try alternatives. Feature parity is no longer enough. OpenAI must offer capabilities competitors lack, and automated task scheduling represents one such differentiator, at least for now.
For organizations using ChatGPT through enterprise plans, the scheduling feature opens possibilities for automating internal workflows. Combined with MCP applications from developer mode, teams can build custom automation pipelines that run on defined schedules without manual intervention.
Why Is OpenAI Turning ChatGPT Into a Super App?
OpenAI is preparing what next.gazeta.pl describes as the largest transformation in ChatGPT’s history — converting the chatbot into a super application that combines artificial intelligence, task automation, and partner services. The scheduled tasks center represents one piece of this broader strategy.
The motivation is survival. Pure conversational AI is becoming commoditized. Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, and other competitors have closed the capability gap significantly. As BitHub.pl reports, competitors followed OpenAI’s success by adapting to the new technological era and creating their own models. ChatGPT can no longer win on chat quality alone.
A super app changes the value proposition. Instead of being one tool among many, ChatGPT becomes a platform that orchestrates other tools and services. Scheduled tasks, MCP applications, developer mode, and partner integrations collectively transform the product from a chatbot into an automation hub.
Financial pressure accelerates this pivot. PurePC.pl reports that leaked financials show OpenAI generated $13.07 billion in revenue but posted a $20.92 billion operating loss in 2025. The company burned through $34 billion in a single year — losses that experts predicted would not arrive until 2028. The current model is unsustainable.
Super apps generate revenue differently than chatbots. They take transaction fees, subscription tiers, and partner commissions. By embedding ChatGPT into daily workflows through scheduled tasks and service integrations, OpenAI increases switching costs and creates monetization paths beyond simple subscription fees.
The strategy carries obvious risks. State attorneys general are already scrutinizing OpenAI’s safety practices ahead of its planned IPO, as reported by wszystkoconajwazniejsze.pl. Expanding into automated actions and partner services increases regulatory exposure. A chatbot that gives a wrong answer is annoying. An automated system that executes incorrect actions on a schedule could cause real harm.
There is also the cost-per-user problem. ithardware.pl reports that the most intensive ChatGPT Pro users can generate costs far exceeding their $200 subscription — in extreme cases, individual users may rack up bills reaching $14,000. Adding automated scheduled tasks means these power users could trigger expensive model calls repeatedly without additional manual input. Every scheduled execution consumes compute resources.
OpenAI is betting that the super app model will lock users in before competitors replicate the same breadth of functionality. The company still leads the market despite its shrinking share. The question is whether scheduled tasks and partner integrations will arrive fast enough to matter.
How Do Scheduled Tasks Fit Into ChatGPT’s Developer Mode and MCP?
Scheduled tasks represent a natural extension of ChatGPT’s developer mode and Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration, which OpenAI introduced to expand the assistant beyond simple read-and-search operations. According to the OpenAI Help Center, developer mode enables actions in external tools — going beyond basic queries through interactive UI applications and full MCP support. Scheduled tasks add a time-based layer to this architecture.
The MCP framework allows ChatGPT to connect with external services and execute multi-step workflows. When combined with scheduled tasks, users can set up recurring automated processes that trigger at specific times without manual intervention. This turns ChatGPT from a reactive chatbot into a proactive agent.
OpenAI is preparing what industry observers call the largest transformation in ChatGPT’s history — evolving into a “super app” that combines artificial intelligence, task automation, and third-party services. Scheduled tasks serve as the scheduling backbone for this vision. They handle the “when” so MCP handles the “what.”
Developer mode currently remains in beta, and not all MCP connections support background scheduling yet. The feature set is expanding incrementally as OpenAI validates stability and security. Power users get early access. Free-tier users do not.
Is OpenAI Burning Cash Faster Than Expected?
OpenAI lost $34 billion in 2025 alone — reaching financial projections that experts originally expected the company to hit only by 2028. According to leaked financial data reported by PurePC.pl, the company generated $13.07 billion in revenue but posted a $20.92 billion operating loss. The gap is staggering.
Training and infrastructure costs for running ChatGPT at scale are spiraling beyond initial forecasts. The company is spending aggressively on compute resources, model training, and talent acquisition. Revenue growth, while substantial, cannot keep pace with the burn rate. Operating losses are accelerating year over year.
This financial trajectory raises serious questions about the sustainability of OpenAI’s business model. Investors are pouring capital into the company at valuations exceeding $100 billion, betting that future revenue will eventually cover costs. But the timeline to profitability keeps shifting. Losses arrived three years early.
The competitive pressure from Google, Anthropic, and other well-funded rivals means OpenAI cannot simply cut spending. Reducing investment in model development would accelerate market share loss. The company is trapped between rising costs and intensifying competition. Every dollar spent on inference is a dollar not saved.
How Much Do Power Users Actually Cost OpenAI?
The most intensive ChatGPT users on the $200 monthly Pro plan can generate infrastructure costs reaching approximately $14,000 per user, according to a report from iTHardware.pl. This figure represents extreme cases where users heavily rely on the most advanced models for complex, continuous workloads. The math is brutal.
These power users consume enormous computational resources through extended conversations, code generation, data analysis, and image processing. The subscription price covers only a fraction of the actual compute cost. OpenAI effectively subsidizes heavy users with venture capital funding. Light users offset some of this burden.
The cost disparity highlights a fundamental tension in AI service pricing. Flat-rate subscriptions encourage maximum usage, which drives up server costs. Usage-based pricing would be more sustainable but faces user resistance. Nobody wants surprise bills.
Scheduled tasks could worsen this problem by enabling automated background processing that runs continuously. A user who sets up hourly task executions effectively multiplies their compute consumption without additional thought. OpenAI must monitor these patterns carefully. Automation is expensive.
Are Users Leaving ChatGPT for Gemini and Claude?
ChatGPT’s share of the AI assistant market dropped below 50% for the first time in the platform’s history, according to a Sensor Tower report covered by PCFormat.pl and Notebookcheck.pl. Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude are gaining users steadily. The psychological barrier has been broken.
The Sensor Tower data shows that users are increasingly willing to try alternative AI assistants. Several factors drive this migration: pricing, feature differentiation, perceived quality, and ecosystem integration. Google bundles Gemini with Android and Google Workspace. Anthropic offers strong coding performance.
OpenAI still maintains its position as market leader, but the dominance is eroding visibly. The gap between ChatGPT and its closest competitors is narrowing each quarter. New users entering the AI assistant space increasingly start with alternatives rather than defaulting to ChatGPT. Brand loyalty is weakening.
This trend puts additional pressure on OpenAI to innovate and retain users through features like scheduled tasks and developer mode. Losing market share while burning billions creates a dangerous feedback loop. Each departing user reduces revenue. Each new feature costs more to build.
The competitive landscape now includes well-funded players with distinct advantages. Google has distribution through its search dominance and mobile ecosystem. Anthropic has enterprise credibility and strong developer mindshare. Meta offers free AI tools. Microsoft Copilot ships with Windows.
What Regulatory Pressure Does OpenAI Face Ahead of Its IPO?
A coalition of U.S. state attorneys general has launched an investigation into OpenAI regarding user safety in ChatGPT, as reported by Wszystko Co Najważniejsze. This regulatory scrutiny arrives just before the company’s planned stock market debut. The timing could not be worse.
State prosecutors are examining whether OpenAI adequately protects users — particularly minors — from harmful content and data privacy violations. The investigation covers multiple aspects of ChatGPT’s operations, including data handling practices, content moderation policies, and transparency disclosures. Regulators want answers before investors get equity.
An IPO during active regulatory investigation presents significant risks for OpenAI. Potential investors must factor legal liabilities into their valuation models. Adverse findings could result in fines, mandatory operational changes, or restrictions on certain features. The IPO window may narrow.
The regulatory pressure compounds OpenAI’s existing challenges: mounting losses, intensifying competition, and accelerating cash burn. Scheduled tasks and other new features will likely face additional review from regulators concerned about automated AI actions executed without direct user supervision. Automation invites scrutiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can free ChatGPT users access scheduled tasks?
Scheduled tasks are currently limited to paid ChatGPT subscribers, consistent with how OpenAI restricts premium features. According to the OpenAI Help Center, certain promotions and advanced capabilities are reserved exclusively for paying users. Free-tier users must upgrade to Plus or Pro plans to access the task scheduling center and related automation features.
How much did OpenAI lose in 2025?
OpenAI burned $34 billion in 2025, generating $13.07 billion in revenue against a $20.92 billion operating loss, according to leaked financial data reported by PurePC.pl. These losses represent spending levels that experts originally projected OpenAI would not reach until 2028. The company is consuming capital roughly three years ahead of financial forecasts.
What is ChatGPT’s current market share?
ChatGPT’s global market share in the AI assistant category dropped below 50% for the first time, according to Sensor Tower data reported by PCFormat.pl. Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude are the primary beneficiaries of this decline. OpenAI remains the market leader, but its dominance is shrinking as competitors gain ground each quarter.
Will scheduled tasks work with third-party apps?
Scheduled tasks integrate with ChatGPT’s developer mode and MCP framework, which supports connections to external tools and services beyond basic read-and-search functionality, according to the OpenAI Help Center. The MCP architecture enables interactive applications with full protocol support. However, not all third-party MCP connections currently support background scheduling, as the feature remains in active development.
Summary
Scheduled tasks represent OpenAI’s push toward proactive AI automation, but the company faces converging challenges on multiple fronts. Here are the key takeaways:
- Market share is slipping: ChatGPT dropped below 50% of the AI assistant market for the first time, with Gemini and Claude gaining ground steadily.
- Financial losses are accelerating: OpenAI burned $34 billion in 2025, hitting spending levels originally forecast for 2028 — three years ahead of schedule.
- Power users are expensive: The most intensive Pro subscribers can generate costs up to $14,000 each, far exceeding the $200 monthly subscription price.
- Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying: A coalition of state attorneys general is investigating OpenAI’s user safety practices just before its planned IPO.
- Features alone won’t solve structural problems: Scheduled tasks, developer mode, and MCP integration add value but cannot reverse market share loss or reduce per-user costs.
OpenAI is betting that features like scheduled tasks and its transformation into a “super app” will differentiate ChatGPT from competitors. The company must execute flawlessly while managing billions in losses and regulatory headwinds. Subscribe to my newsletter for continued coverage of OpenAI, Anthropic, and the AI industry as this story develops.