Summary of Key Points
OpenAI recently announced the official integration of Codex, which was originally a tool for programmers, into ChatGPT. They also introduced three major enhancements: plugins tailored for six different job roles, a comment feature that allows for real-time editing of content, and a new capability called Sites that enables the creation of shareable web pages with just one command. This integration is not merely a simple addition of features; it represents a strategic shift for OpenAI. The goal is to transform ChatGPT from a “chatting advisor” into a “co-worker capable of performing tasks,” with the aim of capturing a significant portion of the AI-powered office market and competing with Anthropic for the attention of one billion users.
Why Did ChatGPT Need to “Ingest” Codex?
There are three main reasons behind this move:
1. Changing User Demographics: Users are no longer solely programmers. While Codex was initially designed for coding, 20% of its current users are non-programmers, such as analysts, designers, and investment bankers, and the growth rate of this group is three times that of programmers. These users use Codex for tasks like creating spreadsheets and analyzing data, indicating that it has evolved into a more general-purpose office tool.
2. Complementary Abilities: ChatGPT excels at tasks like chatting and writing text, but it lacks the ability to directly interact with files on users’ computers or perform complex manual tasks (e.g., automatically processing local data or generating PPTs). Codex, on the other hand, runs locally and can directly read and write files, making it more versatile for practical office work.
3. Internal Management Change: In May of this year, OpenAI merged the ChatGPT and Codex teams, with the person in charge of Codex taking overall leadership. The team that previously worked on ChatGPT is now focusing on business development. This change means that the technology and approach of Codex are now driving the new direction of ChatGPT.
The Three New Features: Making “Intelligent Work” More Accessible
These features are designed to make it easier for ordinary people to use AI in their daily work:
1. Plugins for Six Job Roles: The first batch of plugins covers data analysis, creative design, sales, product development, stock investing, and investment banking. Each plugin includes the necessary tools (e.g., Salesforce for customer management, Figma for design) and workflows specific to those roles. For example, if you ask “How many subscriptions were canceled recently?” the plugin can automatically generate a report using SQL queries and create a PPT, significantly reducing the time required compared to traditional methods.
2. Comment Function: Instead of having to re-enter entire requests when AI-generated content needs to be modified, users can now select the parts they want to change (e.g., conclusions in a report or charts in a PPT) and provide instructions like “Add a source” or “Change the font.” The AI will then update only those selected areas, maintaining the rest of the content unchanged. This improves collaboration efficiency significantly.
3. Sites: With Sites, users can create shareable web pages with just one command. Previously, AI-generated content (e.g., financial forecasts or product plans) had to be embedded in documents or PPTs, which was not very intuitive. Now, by asking “Turn this financial forecast into a real-time dashboard,” Codex can create an interactive webpage that can be easily shared with colleagues. This reduces the barriers for non-programmers to use AI tools and micro-sites.
The Battle for Control of Our Offices: Who Will Win?
The AI office market is huge, and OpenAI’s competitor Anthropic has already made moves:
- Anthropic’s Claude Code is a popular coding tool among programmers, but it comes with strict usage limits and high costs, making it unsuitable for daily use.
- OpenAI’s strategy is to leverage its large user base. By integrating Codex into ChatGPT (which has nearly one billion users), users can access these functions without having to download additional software. Moreover, Codex is more affordable, offering similar capabilities at a fraction of the cost compared to Claude.
The key to this competition is to become the default AI assistant for users. OpenAI believes that once users start using ChatGPT for their work, they are less likely to switch to other tools.
OpenAI’s Ultimate Ambition: Making AI a “Intern at Every Desk”
OpenAI’s vision goes beyond simply merging two tools; they aim to create a “full-scenario work operating system.” ChatGPT will handle understanding user requests through conversation, while Codex will execute tasks. If the rumored browser-based tool is also added, one app will cover everything from chatting to completing tasks. Their goal is to break the current monopoly of a few large companies on AI technology, enabling smaller businesses and individuals to utilize AI in their work. In the future, ChatGPT might no longer just be a dialogue box waiting for questions; it could become an assistant that actively completes tasks for users. By then, the name “Chat” may even become obsolete.
In Conclusion
This update marks a significant leap for AI from assisting with thinking to assisting with execution. For ordinary users, this could mean that they will no longer need to switch between different tools frequently—asking questions, searching for data, creating reports, and sharing results can all be done through ChatGPT. For the industry, the competition in AI-powered offices is just beginning. The company that makes AI-based tasks more accessible and affordable will have a significant advantage in this battle for market dominance.