News reporting focused on AI and machine learning, covering the companies behind these technologies, their real-world applications, and the ethical concerns they raise. This includes areas like generative AI (large language models, text-to-image and video), speech tech, and predictive analytics.
OpenAI is developing a Persistent Mode for its AI agent Codex, allowing it to work proactively until put to sleep. The feature, discovered in public code, includes proactivity for self-generated tasks and unprompted user outreach. OpenAI confirmed tests but has no immediate launch plans, raising both utility and safety concerns.
IBM and OpenAI announced a strategic partnership on August 13, 2026, embedding OpenAI's frontier models, including GPT-5.6, Codex, and ChatGPT Work, into IBM Consulting Advantage. The collaboration includes joint go-to-market initiatives, a dedicated OpenAI Practice staffed by thousands of consultants, and a focus on financial services, government, telecommunications, and retail. Three workstreams target legacy operations, application modernization, and cybersecurity, building on IBM's existing AI and security offerings.
OpenAI has released a preview of its ChatGPT desktop app for Linux, bundling ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and the Codex coding agent. The app is available as .deb and .rpm packages for major distributions, but lacks native computer use and other features found on Mac and Windows.
OpenAI has expanded its Daybreak cybersecurity program into two access tiers – Daybreak Blue for general defenders and Daybreak Red for advanced research – and released a new model, GPT-5.6-Cyber, designed to reduce refusals on exploit development and vulnerability research. The model uncovered real vulnerabilities in Chrome's V8 engine and other software, while OpenAI tightens governance with hardware key requirements and Codex auto-review mode.
OpenAI's ChatGPT performance lead Martin Spier explains how the company keeps the AI assistant fast amid explosive user growth and AI-accelerated code development. With 900 million weekly users and Codex boosting PR volume by 70%, performance engineering now relies on automated agents to keep pace with rapid shipping.
OpenAI has updated GPT-5.6 Sol in ChatGPT, reducing verbosity and adding a reasoning slider for paying users, while free users are moved to the smaller GPT-5.6 Luna model. The changes, published on Aug 6, 2026, apply only to ChatGPT, not to ChatGPT Work or Codex. OpenAI claims improved factual accuracy for both models, though these figures are not independently verified.
OpenAI has merged a pull request on GitHub that reduces the Codex model context size from 372,000 tokens to 272,000 tokens. The change, part of a hotfix for version 0.144, was merged on July 18, 2026, and affects bundled model metadata.
Simon Willison accidentally activated a pet in Codex Desktop and then created his own custom pet called Pedalican, a pelican on a bicycle. The process used GPT-5.6 Sol xhigh and gpt-image-2 to generate sprite assets. Willison documented the entire process, including generated images, sprite sheets, and GIFs, and shared the open-source skills on GitHub.
Thibault Sottiaux, the engineer behind OpenAI's fast-growing Codex product, has been appointed head of core products. He now oversees the ambitious plan to transform ChatGPT into a personalized AI super app that handles tasks across personal and professional life. The move comes as OpenAI shuts down other initiatives and races toward an IPO amid intense competition.
OpenAI's adjusted operating margin hit minus 122 percent in Q1 2026, losing $1.22 for every dollar of revenue even after excluding stock-based compensation. Revenue reached $5.7 billion, driven by the Codex coding agent, enterprise sales, and early ad tests. Meanwhile, Anthropic is closing the revenue gap, reporting annualized revenue of $45 billion compared to OpenAI's $30 billion.
OpenAI has reorganized its leadership to unify ChatGPT and Codex into one product experience. Cofounder Greg Brockman now permanently oversees product strategy alongside AI infrastructure. Other executives take expanded roles amid ongoing changes and competitive pressures.
x.AI, Elon Musk's AI firm, has released Grok Build, its first terminal-based coding agent. The CLI tool enters a market led by Anthropic's Claude Code and OpenAI's Codex. Available in early beta to SuperGrok Heavy subscribers, it offers plan mode, diffs, parallel sub-agents, and headless operation.