Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Altman Says ChatGPT Could Soon Watch Screens, Meetings, Emails
Sam Altman described a future ChatGPT that could understand much more of a person’s day.
It might watch a computer screen, follow meetings and record calls.
People could also connect email, messages, documents and Slack.
Users would choose which information the AI could access.
The assistant could use that information to suggest ideas or find mistakes.
It might also help with small tasks while someone is working.
For example, it could use customer conversations to improve a sales pitch.
Some people may find this useful, while others may worry about surveillance and security.
OpenAI already has a smaller Mac feature called Computer History.
Altman’s six-month estimate is not a confirmed product announcement.
Sam Altman said a future ChatGPT descendant could monitor screens, meetings and calls continuously.
He said users could connect email, texts, documents and Slack, while choosing what information the AI could access.
The assistant would work alongside users by suggesting edits, flagging mistakes and handling smaller tasks.
Altman estimated such a system could become genuinely useful within six months, but OpenAI announced no launch date or final specifications.
OpenAI’s current Mac Computer History feature tracks selected activity through macOS accessibility data and offers pause and deletion controls.
- Who
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, speaking with Z Fellows founder Cory Levy.
- What
- Altman described a possible future ChatGPT that continuously uses computer, meeting, call and connected-service activity to assist users.
- When
- Altman said the system could become useful within six months; the remarks followed OpenAI’s recent introduction of Computer History for Mac.
- Where
- The proposed system would operate across users’ computers, meetings, calls and connected digital services; the interview location was not specified.
- Why
- To give the assistant ongoing context so it can provide more relevant suggestions, identify errors and handle smaller tasks.
Potential Benefits
Privacy And Security Concerns
More relevant assistance
Potential Benefits
Access to documents, customer history, conversations and daily activity could let the assistant offer useful suggestions without requiring users to repeat context.
Privacy And Security Concerns
Continuous access to personal and workplace information could feel intrusive and resemble surveillance.
User-directed collaboration
Potential Benefits
Altman said users would choose what the AI could access and that it would work alongside them rather than make important decisions independently.
Privacy And Security Concerns
The proposed breadth of monitoring still raises questions about permissions, privacy and security when sensitive information is connected.
Continuous activity records
Potential Benefits
An ongoing record could help people such as startup executives who struggle to keep track of large amounts of information.
Privacy And Security Concerns
Recording computer activity, meetings and calls would create a detailed record that would need strong protection; Microsoft’s Recall feature has already faced scrutiny over stored activity snapshots.
- Proposed monitoring
- The future assistant could watch computer screens, meetings and calls and maintain ongoing context.
- Possible connections
- Users could connect email, texts or other messaging services, documents and Slack.
- Potential assistance
- The AI could suggest sales-pitch edits, flag possible errors in strategy documents or offer to perform smaller tasks.
- User control
- Altman said users would decide which information and services the AI could access.
- Estimated timeline
- Altman said the technology might become genuinely useful sometime within the next six months.
- Current Mac feature
- Computer History tracks activity across selected apps and websites using macOS accessibility data, including clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts and app switching.
- Available controls
- Users must enable Computer History, select contributing apps and websites, pause collection or delete stored activity.
- Product status
- OpenAI has not announced a product name, release date or final capabilities for the broader assistant described by Altman.
Sources
ChatGPT could watch you all the time: Altman
OpenAi CEO Sam Altman says ChatGPT could watch your screen, meetings and emails in 6 months
Sam Altman Says ChatGPT Could Track Computer Activity, Meetings Within Six Months
