OpenAI Is Developing a ‘Persistent’ AI Agent
OpenAI is testing a new 'Persistent mode' for its Codex AI agent that allows the model to work on tasks indefinitely until manually stopped. This feature aims to move AI agents beyond simple query-response interactions toward autonomous task completion.
Why it matters
Persistent AI agents represent a significant shift in utility, potentially enabling automation of complex, multi-step workflows that currently require human intervention.
OpenAI is developing a proactive, highly persistent version of its flagship AI agent, Codex, WIRED has learned.
In recent days, OpenAI has started adding code for a new “Persistent mode” setting to its command line version of Codex, according to changes made to the product’s code base reviewed by WIRED. Changes to the Codex command line tool are made public by default, and new features tend to surface there before making their way to OpenAI’s other agent products, such as the Codex desktop app and ChatGPT Work.
Persistent mode has not been broadly rolled out or announced yet, but could be in the future. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed to WIRED that the company is testing this feature, but said there are no immediate plans to launch it.
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