Choosing which computer to use for each task
OpenAI on Nov. 9 (Nov. 10 Japan time) made it possible to connect multiple local computers to its always-on AI agent "dots." Users can connect several computers to the same dot and choose which one to use for each task. The company's official developer account, "OpenAI Developers," announced it on X.
You can now connect multiple local computers to the same dot and choose which one it uses for a task. It can build and test your app on a dedicated machine while you keep coding on your laptop.
As an example, the post described having dots build (assemble into a working form) and test an app on a dedicated machine while the user keeps writing code on their own laptop. The post includes a video of about 18 seconds.
dots is an agent that has its own computer and browser in the cloud and keeps working even when the user's computer is disconnected. When a local computer is connected, the files, code and apps on that computer can also be used for tasks. OpenAI has previously added conversations via iMessage and RCS and replies from iPhone notifications.
One thread uses one computer at a time
According to the official documentation "ChatGPT Learn," computers are connected one at a time, by granting dots access from the ChatGPT app on that computer. For the second and subsequent computers, users repeat the same steps on each one.
To run separate tasks in parallel, users ask dots to start a separate thread (unit of work) for each computer. The documentation says, "Each thread uses one computer at a time."
The dots cloud computer remains available even when local computers are connected. Access to a local computer can also be used for requests made from a smartphone, as long as the messages are sent to the same dot.
Connections persist across tasks
Once made, a connection remains after a task ends. While dots is using a computer, that computer must be online with the ChatGPT app open. An "Offline" label only indicates that the computer is unavailable and does not mean access has been revoked. To revoke it, users select "Revoke access."
This permission for dots is managed separately from the settings that connect a computer to Codex and from "Work Sync." According to the documentation, setting up either of those does not by itself give dots access to the computer.
The post did not state the eligible plans or regions, or the maximum number of computers that can be connected. On dots usage limits, the head of Codex said in October that dots would not draw down usage limits on the Pro plan.
