Unlike previous automated tracking attempts, the company verified that this system does not use screen captures or audio recording, relying instead on interaction events like typing, clicking, and switching between apps.
The feature aims to streamline professional workflows by allowing the AI to recall specific context from external files, Slack conversations, or browser tabs without requiring manual re-explanation.
By capturing a timeline of background activity, ChatGPT can answer high-level questions about previous debugging sessions or ongoing pull requests—a technical term for a request to review and merge code changes.
This capability positions OpenAI to better compete in the agentic workspace, where AI assistants are expected to understand a user's broader operational environment.
To address privacy concerns, OpenAI stores the captured data locally and provides users with granular controls to exclude specific apps or websites from monitoring.
Users can pause the tracking via a macOS menu bar entry or delete specific captured events from their timeline.
The rollout is currently active for global users, while OpenAI noted that those in the UK, Switzerland, and the European Economic Area will receive access to the feature in the coming weeks.