Use New ChatGPT Tasks for Automation

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Are there repetitive tasks that constantly sap your time?

Do you use ChatGPT for them?

Do you wish they could be executed automatically?

Now, you can schedule those tasks with ChatGPT.

OpenAI has unveiled "Tasks," a new feature in ChatGPT that allows users to schedule reminders and automate future actions. This enhances utility as a simple virtual assistant.

This development has rekindled speculation about Operator, an AI agent expected to enhance ChatGPT’s capabilities in document retrieval, data synthesis, and advanced problem-solving.

Read on to learn how to take advantage of this latest ChatGPT feature.

Use New ChatGPT Tasks for Automation

Open AI's Beta feature is the beginning of agentic workflows in ChatGPT

OpenAI has introduced a beta feature in ChatGPT called "Tasks," enabling users to schedule reminders and automate future actions. This functionality is currently available to Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers.

With ChatGPT Tasks

• Schedule Reminders: Users can set one-time or recurring reminders, such as daily weather updates or notifications about important dates. This is much better than an automated search because it’s paired with ChatGPT’s models to parse the results, bringing you just as instructed.

• Automating Action: ChatGPT can perform scheduled tasks without manual prompts, enhancing its utility as a virtual assistant. This will be useful as you can call other applications like Zapier or Make to kick off workflows.

• Task Suggestions: Based on user interactions, ChatGPT may suggest tasks which users can accept or decline.

How to Use the Tasks Feature

1. Select the Appropriate Model: Choose "4o with scheduled tasks" from the model picker.

2. Create a Task: Use natural language prompts to set tasks. For example:

   • "Remind me to water the plants every Monday at 9:00 a.m."

   • "Send me a daily motivational quote at 7:30 a.m."

   • Pro Tip: I am using some of my prompts written in markdown, which I think will get better results. But I am just speculating at this point.

3. Manage Tasks: Access the Tasks page to view, edit, pause, or delete scheduled tasks. This feature is currently available on ChatGPT Web.

4. Considerations:

   • Notification Settings: Ensure notifications are enabled to receive timely updates on scheduled tasks.

   • Platform Availability: Scheduled tasks are supported on ChatGPT Web, iOS, Android, and macOS. Support for Windows is expected later in Q1.

This development positions ChatGPT alongside virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, offering users enhanced productivity through AI-driven task management.

Jonathan Mast has a good video tutorial here. If you want to see it in action.

Example of a ChatGPT Task

Here’s an example of my ChatGPT AI News Agent. Think about a Google News alert but on steroids. Using this combination you can direct and filter the output in a smart way.

I wrote a comprehensive prompt to try to get the best results possible. I will likely add an example to the custom instructions for the task once I see what the output looks like over the course of a couple of days. This few shot prompting technique will provide additional guidance and creating the output I want.

# Objective

Create a daily email summarizing the most interesting and relevant AI news, sorted into distinct themes. The email should be well-structured, easy to read, and engaging for an audience interested in AI.

# Email Structure

- Title

Mark's Agentic News

- Introduction

Write an introduction of the news that is top of the news cycle and why it matters. 

- Create the following Headers and Themes

1. AI News

Focus on top AI-related headlines dominating the news cycle.

Examples: Breakthroughs, major announcements, legal or ethical issues, government policies.

2. Novel Use Cases

Highlight unique AI applications sourced from platforms like Reddit, Medium, and Twitter.

Focus on posts with significant engagement or innovative ideas.

3. AI Industry News

Cover enterprise-grade deployments and developments in AI by companies.

Examples: Major tech players’ AI initiatives, partnerships, product launches, or innovative startups.

4. AI Leverage Stories

Share examples of how users are maximizing productivity or solving challenges with AI.

Focus on practical stories that inspire action or provide insights.

# Notes for Curation

- Prioritize quality over quantity; include only the most relevant and impactful stories.
- Keep the tone professional
- Focus on brevity to convey information succinctly
- Ensure all sources are credible and properly referenced.
- Make sure all sources are valid and hyperlink to the article. 

# Delivery Schedule

Send every morning at 4:00 AM EST.

# Delivery Email Address

[email protected]

If you have been paying attention to my recent newsletters, you might notice a theme. I am trying to set you up for AI success, but specifically agentic success. It starts with a good foundation in prompt engineering, then an understanding of how to maximize the abilities of ChatGPT to brainstorm with you on how to improve those prompts using Canvas. Creating CustomGPTs is another skill where you can refine the outputs. ChatGPT Projects allows you to collate that knowledge. Now Tasks is the next step.

I am anticipating 2025 will be the birth year for myriad agents. But they will require skilled humans to train them on the tasks that allow them to add value. I want to help you learn how to succeed at that.

Thanks as always for your support.