OpenAI introduced Computer History, a new capability for the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS, on Aug. 16, 2026. The feature records a timeline of user actions—file edits, app switches, web visits—and makes the data available to the AI when a request is made. By turning routine behavior into training data, the system can suggest shortcuts, automate repetitive steps and even pick up where a user left off.
Computer History is opt‑in, not opt‑out. When users enable it, they can designate apps or websites to ignore, and they can delete individual entries at any time. Ari Weinstein, OpenAI’s product and engineering manager, said the tool automatically disregards activity in incognito or private browsing tabs, reinforcing a baseline of privacy.
How the feature works
Instead of capturing screenshots, videos or audio, Computer History logs “events” such as opening a document, sending a Slack message or switching to a particular window. In a demo video, Dominik Kundel of the Developer Experiences team asked the app to locate the last document he edited, check whether he had shared it via Slack, and provide a recap of his morning workflow. The AI produced a concise summary without needing visual snapshots.
The event‑based approach reduces storage demands and sidesteps some of the privacy concerns that plagued Microsoft’s Windows Recall, which relied heavily on image capture. OpenAI emphasizes that the data stays on the user’s device unless the user explicitly opts to share it with the cloud for model improvement.
Computer History also powers proactive suggestions. If a user frequently formats a spreadsheet after importing data, the AI can offer to automate the formatting step the next time the same file type is opened. The system can also surface relevant files or commands when a user asks a generic question like, “What was I working on this morning?”
OpenAI’s rollout includes a settings pane where users toggle the feature, manage exclusions and purge history. The company says the interface follows familiar macOS design patterns, making it easy for non‑technical users to control what is recorded.
Industry observers note that the move reflects a broader trend of embedding personal context into generative AI assistants. By learning from a user’s own workflow, the assistant can shift from answering abstract queries to becoming a true productivity partner.
Privacy advocates, however, caution that any form of activity logging carries risk. While OpenAI assures that no visual media are captured, the granular event data could still reveal sensitive work patterns. The company’s statements about on‑device storage and opt‑in consent will likely be scrutinized as the feature gains adoption.
OpenAI has not announced plans to extend Computer History to Windows or Linux versions of the desktop app. For now, macOS users can experiment with the feature and provide feedback through the app’s built‑in reporting tool.
Cet article a été rédigé avec l'assistance de l'IA.
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