Thoughts on OpenAI DevDay 2026
Dots agents are aimed at tinkerers, for now.
For Apple, and even Google to a certain extent, developer conference keynotes are used to target not just developers but also users. That is not the case with OpenAI and their DevDay keynotes which come off more like developer technical talk sessions.
As expected, OpenAI went with a live keynote (available to watch here). The format didn’t serve much benefit for the company. None of the demos worked as intended. OpenAI would get greater play with pre-taped presentations (if they can pull them off). We won’t go on to reiterate the downsides found with live presentations as it is starting to feel a bit like beating a dead horse.
At DevDay 2025, OpenAI’s primary focus was on getting developers to build app integrations and agents for ChatGPT. This year, always-on agents (Dots) aimed at developers, builders, and tinkerers grabbed the most attention. Other features announced on stage included new tools related to Codex and APIs, GPT-6.1 Sol, new plugin extensions for ChatGPT, a collaboration space (ChatGPT Space) for teams and their agents, and changes to ChatGPT subscriptions including a new high-usage tier (Pro 500) and Ultrafast premium speed option.
While last year’s DevDay included a fireside chat with Jony Ive to remind people that OpenAI HW was still coming (in 2027), no such announcement
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