OpenAI expanded the capabilities of its ChatGPT chatbot on macOS this week by introducing a feature called Computer History. The add‑on, which is currently limited to Pro, Business and Enterprise subscribers, captures a stream of on‑device activity—clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches and contextual information—through the operating system’s accessibility API. By logging these interactions, the AI can synthesize a concise summary of what the user has done and even generate repeatable tasks, such as a video‑upload workflow based on recent behavior.
Unlike earlier attempts at on‑device monitoring, Computer History does not record screen images, voice input or any other form of content capture. The data it collects stays on the user’s machine; only summary tokens are sent to the cloud for processing. OpenAI says the company does not retain the raw activity files unless required by law, nor does it use them to train its models.
Privacy controls are built into the feature. Users must opt in before any data is recorded, and they can individually select which applications or websites are eligible for tracking. A pause button lets users suspend logging at will, while a simple interface lets them view or delete the stored history. OpenAI warns that the files are not encrypted by the feature itself, meaning other programs running under the same macOS user account could potentially access them. Built‑in macOS disk encryption may provide an additional layer of protection.
Administrators of Business and Enterprise plans have an extra lever: they can dictate whether users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland or the United Kingdom are allowed to enable Computer History. At present, the feature is unavailable to anyone in those regions, and OpenAI has not announced a timeline for broader rollout.
Computer History mirrors a broader industry trend of integrating AI agents more tightly with everyday workflows. Microsoft’s Windows Recall, announced in May 2024 and later revised after privacy backlash, pursued a similar goal of using on‑device activity to power AI assistance. OpenAI’s implementation avoids some of the security pitfalls that plagued Recall by limiting itself to non‑content data and by keeping raw logs local.
Analysts note that the new tool could make ChatGPT more useful for power users who rely on repetitive digital tasks. By turning a series of keystrokes and clicks into a reusable skill, the feature promises to streamline workflows without requiring users to manually script automations. However, the reliance on accessibility APIs raises questions about the granularity of data collected and the potential for unintended exposure of sensitive information.
OpenAI has not indicated when a Windows or mobile version of Computer History will arrive, leaving macOS users as the first to experience the capability. The company says the feature’s token usage will count against a user’s plan limits, a factor that may influence how extensively individuals choose to employ it.
Cet article a été rédigé avec l'assistance de l'IA.
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