OpenAI gives ChatGPT a memory of Mac activity

OpenAI has unveiled Computer History, a new opt-in feature for macOS that enables ChatGPT and Codex to access a record of activity across selected applications and websites. This feature extends the AI's memory beyond individual conversations into users' daily computer workflows. The feature generates memories and a timeline from interaction events like typing, clicking, switching applications, and navigating websites.

Users can then query ChatGPT about past work, retrieve contextual information about documents or projects, or allow Codex to use this data while completing tasks. Computer History is turned off by default and must be activated by users. They can select which applications and websites contribute data, pause collection, examine timeline entries, and delete individual items or their entire history.

The system distinguishes itself from screenshot-based methods by recording interaction events rather than screens, screen recordings, microphone input, or system audio. This focus on interaction events is key to OpenAI's goal of providing contextual awareness without capturing sensitive visual information. The technology replaces Chronicle, an earlier research preview that utilized screen context.

OpenAI describes Computer History as a rebuilt system, moving away from screenshots towards structured interaction events. By preserving useful context in recurring workflows, preferences, technology stacks, and repository conventions, the feature can provide Codex with additional information when handling development work. This advancement brings ChatGPT closer to becoming a persistent desktop assistant rather than a service primarily responding to direct conversation input.

The development aligns with OpenAI's broader strategy of agentic computing, where software can remember context, operate applications, and carry out work across sessions. Codex has recently been expanded with computer control, an integrated browser, image generation, memory, and support for parallel agents that can work with desktop applications without manual step-by-step direction.

While the feature offers substantial contextual help, it also introduces a sensitive trade-off. An assistant capable of understanding previous desktop activity can provide more contextual assistance, but the information required to do so may reveal work habits, communications, browsing patterns, and project relationships that would otherwise remain separate.

OpenAI has therefore emphasized user selection and deletion controls as crucial components of the system. For enterprise deployments, administrators can determine whether Computer History is available by role, and individual employees must still choose to enable it. They can also pause collection, manage included applications and websites, and inspect or remove timeline entries.

Privacy concerns around desktop software are growing beyond AI products, with recent academic analysis revealing that 85% of 1,000 macOS applications accessed user-data APIs without proper disclosure. Computer History's availability is also managed differently by region, with the feature currently offered only through the ChatGPT desktop application on macOS and not available for Enterprise users in certain regions.