Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI launches Dots agents and GPT-6.1 Sol
OpenAI introduced Dots, agents that ran on cloud computers, worked through ChatGPT, Slack and Microsoft Teams, and asked for approval before sensitive actions, while access and model rollout varied by region.
- OpenAI introduced Dots at its DevDay 2026 developer conference.
- The company said Dots ran on their own cloud computers and could handle research, data analysis and coding.
- OpenAI said users could reach the agents through ChatGPT, Slack and Microsoft Teams, and that background use was read-only while sensitive actions needed approval.
- OpenAI said one Dot came with each subscription, Pro users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK could not use it at launch, and GPT-6.1 Astra was being held back because of safety problems.
OpenAI introduced Dots at DevDay 2026 as agents that could run continuously on their own cloud computers. The company said they could carry out research, analyse data and write code, and that they could pass software work to Codex when needed.
OpenAI said people could use the agents through ChatGPT, Slack and Microsoft Teams. In background mode, the agents only had read access, while actions touching accounts, messages or passwords needed approval or stayed with the user.
One Dot was included with a subscription, but Pro users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK could not use the feature at launch. OpenAI also released GPT-6.1 Sol and said GPT-6.1 Astra was being withheld because of safety issues.
The company said it had also tested dedicated Dots internally for purchasing, invoice handling, marketing email, support and contract work. It said those versions would begin in pilots at individual companies, and that it was working with Microsoft to bring them to Agent 365.
Named in this story
Companies
- OpenAI
- introduced Dots and GPT-6.1 Sol, and delayed GPT-6.1 Astra over safety concerns
- Meta
- launched Muse, which OpenAI compared Dots with
- Microsoft
- worked with OpenAI on Agent 365
Products and systems
- Dots
- always-on agents announced at DevDay 2026
- GPT-6.1 Sol
- cheaper model released alongside Dots
- GPT-6.1 Astra
- top-end model held back over safety problems
- Muse
- Meta’s agent used as the comparison for Dots
- ChatGPT
- one of the interfaces for reaching Dots
- Slack
- one of the interfaces for reaching Dots
- Microsoft Teams
- one of the interfaces for reaching Dots
- Codex
- tool Dots used for software work
- Agent 365
- Microsoft’s management platform for specialised Dots
Places
- European Economic Area
- one of the regions excluded from Pro access at launch
- Switzerland
- one of the regions excluded from Pro access at launch
- UK
- one of the regions excluded from Pro access at launch
How the source tells it
The article read like a product launch, with OpenAI’s own promotional framing tempered by a detailed section on safeguards and access limits.
- competitive framing the launch was set against Meta’s earlier agent product
- vendor boosterism OpenAI’s own demonstrations and claims about coworker-like automation drove the pitch
- reassurance a long safeguards section stressed approval steps, read-only background use and monitoring