Sam Altman Introduces Pulse, Calls It His Favorite Part of ChatGPT

OpenAI has unveiled Pulse, a new feature in ChatGPT designed to deliver personalized daily updates to users. Currently in preview for Pro subscribers, Pulse aims to transform ChatGPT from a reactive assistant into a proactive personal AI assistant by anticipating user needs and preferences.

Pulse Overview and Purpose

Pulse is integrated into the ChatGPT mobile app and provides curated daily insights based on a user’s conversations and stated preferences. By analyzing interactions overnight, Pulse presents users with tailored updates every morning.

The feature is intended to make ChatGPT more proactive, acting like a highly capable personal assistant rather than only responding to immediate queries. Users can receive updates related to personal interests, upcoming goals, or broader topics of relevance.

Sam Altman on Pulse

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced Pulse on X, describing it as his “favourite feature of ChatGPT so far.” He emphasized the feature’s ability to provide useful updates based on user-provided information.

For example, Altman explained:

“It performs super well if you tell ChatGPT more about what’s important to you. In regular chat, you could mention ‘I’d like to go visit Bora Bora someday’ or ‘My kid is 6 months old and I’m interested in developmental milestones’, and in the future, you might get useful updates.”

According to Altman, Pulse represents a shift in ChatGPT’s functionality from reactive responses to anticipating user needs, offering a highly personalized experience.

Proactive Personal Assistant Experience

Pulse turns ChatGPT into a super-competent assistant, providing both on-demand responses and curated proactive updates. Altman highlighted that users who share general preferences can expect a more tailored experience, with AI generating relevant insights without explicit requests.

“Think of treating ChatGPT like a super-competent personal assistant: sometimes you ask for things you need in the moment, but if you share general preferences, it will do a good job for you proactively.”

This proactive approach is positioned as the future of ChatGPT, focusing on extreme personalization and user-centered AI support.

Availability and Expansion Plans

Pulse is currently available in preview for Pro subscribers ($200/month) on mobile devices. OpenAI plans to expand access to Plus subscribers and other users in the coming months.

Altman noted:

“This is an early look, and right now only available to Pro subscribers. We will work hard to improve the quality over time and to find a way to bring it to Plus subscribers too.”

The feature has been developed by a team led by Christina Hart and Samir Chowdhury, among others, ensuring high-quality implementation.

Support from OpenAI Leadership

Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, highlighted the broader vision for Pulse, emphasizing AI’s role in anticipating user needs and making high-level personal assistance accessible to everyone.

“AI should anticipate users’ needs and help them achieve their objectives. That’s what we’re beginning to build, starting with ChatGPT Pulse (rolling out now to Pro, with the goal of making it available to everyone over time).”

She added that OpenAI aims to democratize access to AI support previously available only to the wealthiest users, making advanced assistance broadly available.

How Pulse Works

Within the ChatGPT app, Pulse delivers curated reports across a range of topics in the form of cards. Users can:

• Click cards to view full reports

• Ask follow-up questions for deeper insights

• Request specific reports or provide feedback to improve accuracy

The AI automatically generates reports, but users have control over personalization and feedback, enhancing the overall experience.

Conclusion

ChatGPT Pulse represents a significant evolution of OpenAI’s platform, shifting the AI from a reactive tool to a proactive personal assistant. With personalized daily updates, AI-generated reports, and an expanding rollout plan, Pulse aims to provide users with highly tailored insights while improving productivity and engagement.