Exploring ChatGPT Pulse: Sam Altman's Favorite Feature Bringing Proactive AI Assistance to Users

ChatGPT Pulse is currently available exclusively to Pro users on mobile devices.

OpenAI has introduced Pulse, a feature that CEO Sam Altman describes as his "favorite" ChatGPT capability to date. This innovative tool delivers personalized daily updates tailored to users' interests, previous conversations, and connected applications. At present, the feature is exclusively available to users with Pro subscriptions.

"Today we are launching my favorite feature of ChatGPT so far, called Pulse," Sam Altman announced on X.

What Is Pulse? Pulse functions as a proactive, personalized assistant within the ChatGPT ecosystem.

Unlike traditional ChatGPT interactions where users initiate conversations with specific queries, Pulse works autonomously overnight to research and compile information based on individual users' interests, conversation history, feedback patterns, and connected applications such as Google Calendar and Gmail.

Each morning, users receive personalized updates presented as visual cards that can be quickly browsed or expanded for additional information.

These updates may include:

Follow-up information on frequently discussed topics.

Suggestions or tips for daily activities (such as quick meal ideas or travel recommendations).

Calendar-based recommendations, including meeting agendas, restaurant suggestions, or timely reminders.

Guidance for long-term objectives (such as training schedules or project milestone planning).

Users can customize Pulse's content by indicating preferences, requesting specific topics, or providing feedback through simple thumbs up/down reactions. The system continuously learns from this feedback to enhance relevance and utility over time.

"Pulse works for you overnight, and keeps thinking about your interests, your connected data, your recent chats, and more," explained Mr Altman.

He further noted that casual mentions during conversations, such as upcoming travel plans or a child's developmental progress, enable ChatGPT to provide relevant, proactive updates.

How Pulse Works: Pulse analyzes information from a user's memory, conversation history, and direct feedback to create customized updates.

Users can direct content preferences by specifying interests like local events, skill development resources, or professional updates. The AI remembers user preferences for future updates based on simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down feedback.

Connected applications provide context-specific suggestions. For example, with Calendar integration, Pulse can prepare meeting agendas, suggest dining options for upcoming trips, or provide birthday reminders.

Benefits Of Pulse: The feature functions as a proactive personal assistant, helping users advance daily tasks and longer-term goals without requiring constant manual prompts.

Updates are designed to be day-relevant, though users can save items to chats or request follow-ups for future reference.

The tool incorporates safety measures and content filtering to prevent harmful or policy-violating material.

Sam Altman described Pulse as progress toward a more proactive and personalized ChatGPT experience.

"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," he stated.