OpenAI’s ChatGPT desktop app for macOS is gaining a new opt-in feature called Computer History, designed to help the assistant understand how people actually work across their computers. By creating a timeline of user activity, ChatGPT and Codex can reference recent context when responding to requests.
The positive promise is a more helpful, proactive AI assistant: one that can suggest automations, understand recurring workflows, and even help users resume tasks they left half finished. For knowledge workers, developers, and busy professionals, this kind of context-aware support could reduce friction and save time.
Built with user controls
According to the report, Computer History is opt-in rather than enabled by default. Users can exclude specific apps and websites, delete individual entries, and the feature is designed to ignore content from incognito or private browser tabs.
- More personalization: ChatGPT can tailor help based on recent activity.
- Better automation: The assistant may identify repetitive tasks and suggest shortcuts.
- Greater continuity: Users can return to interrupted work with AI help.
While privacy controls will be essential for trust, Computer History represents a meaningful step toward AI assistants that are less like generic chatbots and more like practical collaborators embedded in daily workflows.