I have a growing list of tasks I would be perfectly fine never doing again. Checking airfare daily? Definitely on that list. Sifting through my jam-packed inbox? Yup, that too. And remembering when a free trial turns into a charge? I wouldn’t miss that at all. This is precisely where AI agents start to prove their worth.
Unlike traditional chatbots that only respond when asked, AI agents can keep working beyond that initial interaction. They might monitor prices, wait for availability, or follow up on tasks you’d prefer not to keep in your head. Companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google are diving deeper into this kind of technology. OpenAI has rolled out Dots and ChatGPT Work, while Meta offers Muse and Google has introduced Gemini Spark.
Sure, the technology sounds impressive. But what intrigues me more is the potential to offload those annoying little tasks rather than have AI run my life entirely. If you’re curious about what you could do with one of these agents, here are some practical suggestions.
AI agents can take care of a variety of tasks: from tracking flight prices to organizing emails and managing reminders—without taking away your decision-making power.
So, what are these tools exactly? For instance, ChatGPT Work is designed for more complex, multi-step tasks and is rolling out to users on specific plans. In comparison, Dots can track ongoing projects and remember tasks between chats. There are also alternatives, like Meta Muse, which offers a free tier with usage limits, and Google’s Gemini Spark, available to select subscribers.
Even if you have a basic version at your disposal, it’s worth experimenting with low-risk tasks to see if AI can save you time.
Getting started with an AI agent in ChatGPT is relatively straightforward. Depending on your subscription, the features you see can vary. Before diving in, however, adjusting your privacy settings is wise to retain control over your data.
To stop new ChatGPT conversations from being used in AI training, make these adjustments: sign in at ChatGPT.com, click on your profile icon, navigate to Settings, go to Data Controls, and toggle off the “Improve the model for everyone” option.
For memory settings, you’d go back to Settings, select Personalization, find Memory, and turn off “Enable memory.” This way, your conversations aren’t personalized with past information. There’s also the Temporary Chat option if you’d prefer that chats not be saved. Lastly, you can review any connected apps and remove those you don’t need.
Once you’re comfortable with those privacy settings, you can begin assigning tasks to ChatGPT Work. Look for an option labeled Chat and Work near the top of the screen, click Work, and start a new chat. Describe the task you want tackled and attach any relevant files. It’s essential to clarify what the AI can and can’t do—like research or create drafts without making commitments.
There’s no need to jump in with both feet. Start simple, like researching product options or comparing travel arrangements, to see how the agent operates before you go giving it sensitive access to your email or personal data.
Here are a few ways an AI agent could help ease your daily life:
Morning Briefing: I’d rather not open another app just to figure out my day. An AI could look at my calendar and anything else I’ve given it access to, flag what needs attention, and alert me to potential conflicts.
Price Tracking: You find a flight but it’s too costly, so you keep checking. Instead, hand that job to the AI: “Track the price of [item] and let me know if it drops below $___.”
Email Sorting: The thought of diving into my inbox can be overwhelming. An AI could summarize unread emails—highlighting the urgent ones and drafting responses for my review.
Deadline Reminders: Life is busy, and deadlines sometimes slip through the cracks. An AI can track your deadlines and alert you with enough notice to avoid last-minute panic.
Dinner Planning: Repeatedly deciding what to cook can be exhausting. An AI could plan your weekly dinners based on your preferences and what you have on hand.
Household To-Do List: It’s easy to forget little tasks, like changing the air filter or picking up dog food. An AI could keep track of these items and remind you when they need attention.
Follow-Up Tracker: Keeping tabs on who owes you a response can be frustrating. An AI can help manage those requests and remind you to follow up if you’re left waiting.
Opening Alerts: Do you miss out on reservations or products because they sell out? Let the AI handle that: “Check for openings at [restaurant or event] and notify me if something comes up.”
As you integrate an AI agent, it’s a good idea to gradually give it more responsibilities. Start with simpler tasks and, based on its performance, you might increase the level of access permissions.
I personally wouldn’t hand over control of sensitive matters like finances or medical decisions. And when connecting accounts, review what an agent can access—even after the task is finished, consider severing those connections. Keep the autonomy.
I think AI agents become considerably more attractive when you think about what repetitive tasks you wish to unload. It might be tracking prices or managing follow-up requests—those are the types of chores I’d let go of first. Yet, I remain cautious about handing over actions that can have significant consequences.
What’s one task you’d eagerly offload to an AI agent? And what’s something you’d never trust it to handle?
