OpenAI tries disarming AI angst with cute graphics and always-on agents

OpenAI, among those sounding the alarm about existential AI risk as its models run riot on third-party websites, on Tuesday introduced dots, which are cute-looking, hosted AI agents. When dots take visual form in mobile, desktop, or web applications, they look like colorful anthropomorphized shapes with accessories like glasses, hats, or bow ties. But behind the inviting graphics, dots are just persistent compute tasks that consume tokens. Speaking at the company's Dev Day in San Francisco, CEO Sam Altman said dots are "like an AI helper that always has your back, inspired by the cool versions of what we all watched in movies growing up." So, more "Tea, Earl Grey, hot" than "Open the pod bay doors, HAL." As AI agents, dots rely on a model (GPT-6 Astra), have access to software tools, and can operate on long-running tasks. Each gets its own cloud computer, can work toward goals 24/7, and retains context over time. …