Sep 1 – Oct 1, 2026 · 5 items
The AI week, for a recruiter
A real edition, written for: Recruiter
The one thing
Could Dots or Manus agents cut your screening time in half without breaking your firm’s data rules?
Dots launch: always-on agents for ongoing tasks
OpenAI launched Dots, always-on AI assistants that work without constant direction. They run on GPT-6 Astra with their own cloud computer. Dots connect to over 4,000 apps via plugins. They learn user preferences and work 24/7 on tasks. Users can inspect a dot’s work on its cloud computer. Dots can also use a user’s laptop with permission. They message progress or questions in ChatGPT, Slack, or Teams. Built-in safeguards include read-only tools for background work. Users control access, permissions, and approvals via Custom Rules. Specialist dots for organizations have their own identity and access. These are in focused enterprise pilots. Microsoft Agent 365 will integrate specialist dots. Dots roll out to Pro and Business Premium users in eligible markets.
Why it matters for you
Dots run 24/7 on tasks you define once. That matches your screening backlog.
- They connect to 4,000+ apps via plugins, so they can pull from your ATS
- You inspect their work on a cloud computer before it goes out
- Pro or Business Premium plan required
Try this
Set a Dot to screen incoming CVs against your role specs
Paste this into your AI tool
Context: I’m a recruiter screening CVs for [role title] at a professional services firm in Switzerland. Task: Review each CV against the job description and rank them green, amber, red. Constraints: - Use only the text in the CV and job description - Flag any missing required skills - Note any red flags (e.g., unexplained gaps) I'll paste: [job description] I'll paste: [batch of CVs] Output: A ranked list with one-sentence justification for each
Sources
OpenAI DevDay: GPT-6 Astra and agents updates
OpenAI announced over twenty updates at DevDay 2026. It introduced Dots as always-on agents for ongoing tasks. GPT-6.1 Sol launched with near-Astra performance at one-fifth the token cost. Ultrafast mode offers up to eight times faster token generation in Codex. Private Intelligence now supports zero data retention with private safety processing. Codex can now run in the cloud or via a refreshed CLI with voice control. Code Review in ChatGPT desktop app enables automated and manual reviews. Codex Security Cloud scans repositories and prepares fixes in the cloud. Decisions API entered limited preview for real-time classification. Agents API now supports computer use for software interaction. Bedrock Managed Agents brings OpenAI agents to AWS. Plugin extensions allow sidebar integration in ChatGPT. Improved plugin creation and discovery tools were released.
Why it matters for you
GPT-6 Astra powers Dots and other agents. Faster tokens mean quicker screening cycles.
- 8× faster token generation in Codex and Ultrafast mode
- Agents API now supports computer use for software interaction
- Private Intelligence offers zero data retention for sensitive candidate data
Try this
Test GPT-6 Astra in ChatGPT for a pilot screening run
Paste this into your AI tool
Context: I need to screen 20 CVs for [role title] in under an hour. Task: Extract key skills and experience from each CV and match them to the job description. Constraints: - Only use the text provided - Highlight gaps or mismatches I'll paste: [job description] I'll paste: [20 CVs] Output: A summary table with match scores and notes
Sources
AI absent from most ethics codes
Fewer than one in ten employee conduct codes mention artificial intelligence or technology ethics, LRN found. The advisory firm surveyed 2,000 full-time employees for its code of conduct report. Nearly all said their employer requires them to sign or acknowledge a code. A declining share said they actually use the code as a reference. Nearly one in five said their code lacked practical guidance. Two thirds felt they could report misconduct without retaliation, down from last year. LRN said most codes also fail to describe how investigations work. It advised employers to link AI to existing principles such as accountability and fairness, rather than add new sections. Separate HR Acuity figures show reported misconduct rising sharply.
Why it matters for you
Your firm’s conduct code likely lacks AI guidance. That leaves screening decisions exposed.
- Under 10% of codes address AI use at work
- Nearly 1 in 5 say their code lacks practical guidance
- Two thirds feel safe reporting misconduct, but that’s down from last year
Try this
Ask HR whether your code covers AI in recruitment and what to do if it doesn’t
Sources
Manus 2.0: agents with dedicated environments
Manus launched Manus 2.0 with a new agent harness called Cascade. Cascade reduces token use, task time and cost versus the prior system. Cloud Computer offers dedicated environments for projects needing persistent hosting. Automations now start from external service events as well as schedules. Manus Studio replaces the desktop app as a shared workspace for people and AI. Studio adds Video Editor for timeline-based video editing and fine-tuning. Video Editor includes Alchemy mode for higher-quality creative direction. Game Dev enables building, editing and publishing multiplayer games. Game Dev supports one-click multiplayer setup via Cloud Computer. Remote Control and Computer Use let users command their computer from elsewhere. Cue is a new standalone app for personal agents on phone and desktop. Cue agents can have their own email, phone, wallet and computer. Cue agents can work in group chats to hand tasks to each other.
Why it matters for you
Manus agents now run in dedicated Cloud Computers. That keeps candidate data isolated.
- Cloud Computer offers persistent hosting for long-running tasks
- Automations trigger from external events, like new CVs in your ATS
- Cue app gives agents their own email and phone for candidate outreach
Try this
Check if Manus 2.0’s Cloud Computer meets your firm’s data residency rules
Sources
AI-integrated malware on the rise
Cisco Talos built an open-source framework called CAIRN. It flags AI-integration traits in malware to classify and track samples. CAIRN already found a Windows hacking tool named CLOSEDQUORUM. CLOSEDQUORUM polls DeepSeek, Qwen, Mistral and Google Gemini for directives. The tool has no human input mechanism. It steals login credentials and cryptocurrency. Researchers linked it to cybercriminal forums from 2025. They could not confirm its real-world use. CAIRN also uncovered about 20 other AI-integrated malware examples. Researchers say AI is becoming operationalized for attackers.
Why it matters for you
Attackers are using AI to automate breaches. Your ATS could be a target.
- 20 AI-integrated malware families found, including CLOSEDQUORUM
- CLOSEDQUORUM polls multiple LLMs for directives and steals credentials
- Researchers expect more attackers to adopt agents
Try this
Ask IT whether your ATS and recruitment tools are monitored for AI-driven threats
Sources
Build this
Every week, one small thing to build with AI in something you actually care about. No work in it. Five minutes to set up, and worth keeping if it earns a second run.
A job ad that survives three rounds of self-sabotage.
Five minutes to set up
Context: I’m writing a job ad for [role title] at a professional services firm in Switzerland. Task: Draft the ad in under 150 words. Constraints: - Include must-have skills and nice-to-haves - Avoid jargon and internal acronyms I'll paste: [role requirements and company info] Output: The job ad
- Paste your draft into a fresh chat and ask it to rank every bullet by importance
- Ask it to argue why the lowest-ranked bullet should be first
- Rewrite the ad using only the bullets it defended, then check it still fits the role
- Save the sequence as a reusable workflow for your next ad
Yours arrives Thursday.
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