Tag: Task Automation

OpenAI to Retire ChatGPT Atlas Aug. 9: What I’m Watching

I’m watching OpenAI discontinue ChatGPT Atlas, its standalone desktop browser, and move its browser-based AI features into the new ChatGPT desktop app. That app brings together ChatGPT Work, OpenAI’s work-focused agent, and ChatGPT Codex.

The end of Atlas. I’m taking note of an Aug. 9 retirement date after OpenAI’s James Sun confirmed the plan on X.

I’m also noting Sun’s exact wording: “The current targeted date for deprecation is 8/9, and we’ll share more information in the upcoming days both in-app and via email.”

One desktop app. I see the new ChatGPT desktop app becoming OpenAI’s primary desktop product, complete with built-in browser capabilities. Instead of maintaining a separate AI browser, OpenAI is combining browsing, work-agent features, and Codex in one place.

Chrome users can keep Chrome. If I prefer using Chrome, I can access ChatGPT and Codex through OpenAI’s Chrome extension without switching to a dedicated OpenAI browser.

As AI reshapes search, every glowing path to discovery carries commercial value—turning SEO investment into a conversation about pipeline, risk, and customer acquisition costs.

Why I care. I see this as an important shift because OpenAI is moving AI browsing into the main ChatGPT experience, where more people can ask questions, research brands, and complete tasks. In my view, that gives ChatGPT another opportunity to influence discovery beyond traditional search results.

My quick recap. ChatGPT Atlas will be retired as a standalone browser less than a year after its launch.

I first saw ChatGPT Atlas launch on Mac in October. OpenAI later released a dedicated Codex app and added an in-app browser in April. Now, I’m watching those capabilities move into the new unified ChatGPT desktop app.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 10, 2026
How I Turn AEO Data Into Action With Profound Projects

With Projects in Profound, I can turn my AEO data into a clear, ranked list of opportunities instead of another report I have to interpret from scratch.

Each opportunity is broken into practical tasks, with an agent ready to help do the work. That makes it easier for me to move from insight to execution without getting stuck in endless analysis.

For me, Projects is about spending less time deciding what to do next and more time acting on the opportunities that can improve visibility, performance, and momentum.

Inspired by this post on Try Profound Blog.

July 3, 2026
Google Search to Transform into Your Personal Task Manager

I’ve been intrigued by how Google Search is set to transform. Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet, recently shared on the Cheeky Pint podcast that search is moving away from just providing information and answers. Instead, it’s evolving into a dynamic system that can complete tasks for us.

Why this matters to us: This shift marks Google’s transition from being a tool for information retrieval to becoming an assistant in task execution, which I’m sure will enhance our web interactions significantly.

Search’s agentic evolution: Sundar Pichai illustrates that our traditional way of searching is already seeing changes, and it’s only going to continue evolving.

He mentioned, “If I fast-forward, a lot of what are just information-seeking queries will be agentic in Search. You’ll be completing tasks. You’ll have many threads running.”

Pichai envisions a future where Google Search serves more as an agent manager, coordinating various actions for us. It’s like having multiple agents accomplishing different tasks, allowing us to get so much more done efficiently.

The CEO notes, “Search would be an agent manager in which you’re doing a lot of things. I think in some ways, I use Antigravity today, and you have a bunch of agents doing stuff. I can see search doing versions of those things, and you’re getting a bunch of stuff done.”

AI Mode’s impact: Pichai highlights that users are adapting their search behavior with Google’s AI functionalities. Even now, people perform deep research queries that redefine traditional search activities, implying that we’re already on a path to using search for more complex, long-running tasks.

He explains, “But today in AI Mode in Search, people do deep research queries. That doesn’t quite fit the definition of what you’re saying. But people adapted to that. I think people will do long-running tasks.”

Search and Gemini coexistence: Despite the introduction of Gemini, Sundar assures us that Google Search isn’t going anywhere. Instead, both will coexist and evolve together, balancing between some areas of overlap and profound divergence. This dual strategy aims to enhance how we utilize these technologies daily.

“We are doing both Search and Gemini. They will overlap in certain ways. They will profoundly diverge in certain ways. I think it’s good to have both and embrace it,” he shared.

The full interview: For more insights, you might want to watch The history and future of AI at Google, with Sundar Pichai on YouTube.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 7, 2026