Friday, October 2, 2026The business owner's brief on new tech that saves time.
AI Assistants

ChatGPT Plugins Get Their Own Panels and Can Now Trigger Automations

OpenAI's DevDay update turns plugins into something closer to apps inside ChatGPT.

At its DevDay event on September 29, OpenAI expanded ChatGPT plugins with dedicated sidebar spaces, interactive panels you can work in while chatting, and file viewers for custom formats, TechCrunch reports.

Plugins can also now support automations that run when something happens in a connected app, and a new Plugin Creator tool is meant to make building them easier. Users approve each plugin's access individually.

Why it matters for your business

The software you already pay for, like your CRM, booking tool, or project tracker, may soon work inside ChatGPT and act on its own when a new lead or booking comes in. Watch for your vendors announcing plugins, and read the permission screen before you approve one.

Watch: how to use it

AI AssistantsHow to Use ChatGPT Projects Feature 2026by Au TechShows how to keep files and instructions for one client or project together in ChatGPT, so you stop re-explaining your business every chat.