OpenAI on Wednesday introduced a new artificial intelligence assistant named "dots" at its annual gathering for software developers in San Francisco, while announcing that the debut of a separate next-generation model has been postponed because of safety concerns.
Chief Executive Sam Altman spoke at the event, which draws programmers and partners who build on OpenAI's technology, presenting the assistant to attendees and industry observers. The announcement comes as the company balances efforts to expand its product offerings with growing scrutiny over the risks posed by increasingly capable AI systems.
OpenAI said safety issues have postponed the public release of a forthcoming model, reflecting broader industry debates over how and when advanced systems should be deployed. The company has previously highlighted safety and alignment as priorities as it rolls out new capabilities to users and developers.
The presentation of "dots" adds to OpenAI's lineup of consumer and developer-facing tools, and signals continuing investment in making AI accessible to third-party builders. The delay of the other model underscores the tensions technology firms face between rapid innovation and the need to manage potential harms, a recurring theme at conferences and in regulatory discussions worldwide.
Developers at the San Francisco event were expected to learn more about integrating OpenAI's tools into applications and services, while observers will watch closely for further details on the postponed model and how the company plans to address the safety issues it has flagged.