Sep 1 – Oct 1, 2026 · 4 items
The AI week, for a supply chain manager
A real edition, written for: Supply Chain Manager
The one thing
Could Dots or Perplexity Automations cut the time you spend on routine supplier follow-ups this quarter?
OpenAI launches Dots for persistent agents
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
Dots run ongoing tasks without your direction. That frees you to focus on exceptions in inventory planning.
- Pro or Business Premium plan required for access
- Can inspect a dot’s work on its cloud computer
- Messaging progress in ChatGPT, Slack, or Teams
Try this
Ask your admin to enable Dots beta for your team
Sources
Dots now available in ChatGPT
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 handle multi-step workflows for you. Use them to automate supplier follow-ups or stock checks.
- Enterprise beta requires admin enablement
- Connects to 4,000+ apps via plugins
- Built-in safeguards include read-only tools
Try this
Test a Dot for tracking supplier delivery confirmations
Paste this into your AI tool
Task: Monitor supplier delivery confirmations for [supplier name] and flag any delays Tools: Email, Slack Output: A daily summary of on-time and delayed deliveries
Sources
Perplexity adds agent automations
Perplexity Computer launched Automations for long-running agents. Agents remember prior work and pick up where they left off. They run on a schedule or when events occur in Slack, Gmail, Outlook, Linear, or GitHub. Users set triggers, define tasks, and specify outputs like Slack or Gmail. Automations can flag missed updates or deadlines. Users create them via the omnibar or the Automations interface. Admins can limit connector permissions. Automations do not use credits while waiting for triggers. Existing Scheduled Tasks can be migrated to Automations. Automations are available to all Computer users.
Why it matters for you
Automations trigger on schedules or events. Set one to alert you when inventory dips below thresholds.
- Requires a Perplexity Computer account
- Agents remember prior work and pick up where they left off
- No credit usage while waiting for triggers
Try this
Create an automation to monitor low-stock alerts
Accenture and Google Cloud launch joint unit
Google Cloud and Accenture have formed a joint unit called the Accenture Gemini Enterprise Business Group. The unit sits inside Accenture and helps customers deploy Google Cloud's agent platform. It will be staffed by engineers who work on site at customer premises. Google Cloud will help train up to 1,000 of these engineers. Both firms are betting that on-site engineers are what turns generative AI into business results. Other companies have made similar bets on the same staffing model. The Wall Street Journal reported the launch.
Why it matters for you
On-site engineers help deploy agent platforms. This could accelerate your demand forecast improvements.
- Up to 1,000 engineers trained for deployments
- Focused on Google Cloud’s agent platform
- Engineers work on-site at customer premises
Try this
Ask your procurement team to explore this for your demand forecast project
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.
Make ChatGPT find the flaw in its own inventory forecast
Five minutes to set up
Explain your last inventory forecast, then state the single weakest assumption in it
- Paste your latest forecast into the chat
- Run the prompt as-is in ChatGPT
- Check that the flaw it names is real and material
- Use that flaw to refine the next forecast
Yours arrives Thursday.
This one was written for a supply chain manager. Tell us what you do and the next one is written for you — same news, your job, once a week.