OpenAI is preparing “o,” an always-on ChatGPT assistant that could handle email

OpenAI is testing a new always-on assistant called "o", and references to the unannounced feature briefly appeared online.

OpenAI hasn't confirmed or denied that it's working on a new always-on assistant, but as some users spotted on X, "o, your always-on assistant" was briefly listed as one of the benefits of the $100 ChatGPT Pro plan.

References to new 'o' assistant
Source: Jake on X

This feature was listed alongside more Work and Codex usage, maximum memory, 100GB of file storage, and early access to new features.

Moreover, there's a dynamic configuration with a reference to display_name: "o" alongside an email_suffix: "-o", and this seems to suggest that the assistant could eventually have some form of email capability or identity.

That makes sense for an "always-on" assistant, which could continue helping with your tasks when you're not actively using ChatGPT, but we don't yet know exactly what OpenAI has planned.

OpenAI could reveal more at DevDay

OpenAI has already confirmed it's hosting DevDay 2026 on September 29 in San Francisco, and it's expected to announce a number of new features.

The event would give us a closer look at what its teams are building, along with technical sessions, demos, and new tools, so I wouldn't be surprised if we hear more about "o" there.

There have also been references to an internal "Aeon" system around custom agents for ChatGPT workspaces, but "o" appears to be a separate consumer-facing experience.