·
·
Wednesday, 30 September 2026dailybeirut.com
AI
OpenAI launched the Dots AI agent and GPT-6 Astra model at DevDay 2026, entering direct competition with Meta’s recently released Muse assistant.
During its annual developer conference, DevDay 2026, OpenAI introduced a suite of new products and updates. The most significant announcement was Dots, a new generation of artificial intelligence agents designed to operate continuously in the background and execute tasks on behalf of users. This launch places OpenAI in direct competition with Muse, an agent recently released by Meta. (Reuters)
OpenAI positions Dots as AI assistants capable of continuous operation and task execution across various applications, moving beyond simple question-and-answer responses. Users can interact with the Dot via text or voice through ChatGPT, utilizing it for research, software development, and business operations. The system runs on the GPT-6 Astra model, which OpenAI describes as its most capable model, engineered to handle complex tasks including computer use, search, programming, and document creation.
The agents retain context between tasks, continue working autonomously, and send updates to users during execution. OpenAI plans to enable the operation of multiple Dots simultaneously in the future.
The release of Dots follows closely after Meta launched its personal agent, Muse, designed to perform user tasks such as sending emails, booking travel, and managing specific services and applications. Both products share a core concept: shifting AI from answering questions to executing tasks semi-independently. While Muse operates via a dedicated virtual device within Meta’s cloud, Dots focuses more heavily on work environments and professional tools.
This rivalry emerges as Meta expands Muse’s presence beyond smartphones. The company revealed the Muse Charm, a small device that can be carried or attached as a keychain, alongside plans to integrate Muse more broadly into its wearable devices.
A notable moment occurred when OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar mistakenly referred to "Muse" instead of "Dots" while discussing memory and context capabilities during her presentation on new product developments. She quickly corrected herself, but the incident drew attention at DevDay, underscoring the prominence of Muse as a competitor in the personal AI agent market.
At DevDay, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was asked about the competition with Mark Zuckerberg and Meta, particularly given the latter's accelerated development of AI models and agents. Altman stated he does not feel threatened, acknowledging Meta’s strong resources while affirming his confidence in OpenAI’s future roadmap. These comments coincide with Meta’s aggressive moves in the personal agent sector, having unveiled Muse in September and added new features during the Connect conference, along with the Muse Charm.
OpenAI’s DevDay 2026 presentations extended beyond Dots. The company announced GPT-6.1 Sol, a new model targeting high performance at lower costs. It also introduced the ChatGPT Pro 500 plan, priced at $500 per month, which offers a new speed tier called Ultrafast.
Furthermore, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Space, a collaborative workspace allowing users and AI to cooperate within a single context. The event also featured new updates to Codex and additional tools aimed at developers.
