OpenAI has introduced Codex, an AI agent for programming automation, now available to ChatGPT Pro, Enterprise, and Team users at no extra cost. The tool acts as a virtual colleague for developers—automatically fixing errors, running tests, and suggesting code improvements.
Unlike ChatGPT, Codex is presented as an independent product rather than an upgrade. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the agent can generate code from simple text prompts, optimize existing code, and manage several tasks in parallel. It can even pause and resume more complex tasks, which may take up to 30 minutes to complete. The Verge reports that improvements to the assistant’s battery life are planned in future updates.
Codex runs inside the ChatGPT web interface, though it currently doesn’t have internet access—an intentional move by OpenAI to limit security risks. It operates on a specialized version of the o3 model known as codex-1, tailored specifically for coding tasks. The company also states that Codex is intended to complement other AI tools like Cursor and Windsurf’s code editor. Talks are reportedly underway for OpenAI to acquire Windsurf for approximately $3 billion.
Growing AI Competition in Development
OpenAI acknowledges that Codex’s current capabilities are limited, but it expects the agent to handle routine programming tasks independently in the future. “We believe that in the future, development will be built around an agent running on a separate computer, and people will only delegate tasks to it,” the company stated. Sam Altman has also described programming as a key area for OpenAI’s long-term focus.
It’s important to note that Codex is not entirely new—the name was originally used for OpenAI’s first code generation tool, introduced in 2021, reminds NIXSolutions. However, the field of AI-assisted programming has since gained significant momentum. Competitors are moving quickly: Anthropic is developing its own tools, Windsurf has released a new range of AI models, and Google has recently added GitHub integration to Gemini, along with launching its algorithmic development agent AlphaEvolve.
Strategic Timing and Future Outlook
Interestingly, OpenAI’s announcement of Codex comes just ahead of Google I/O, suggesting a calculated move in the ongoing rivalry between the two companies. While Codex’s full potential is still unfolding, it clearly marks a step forward in AI-assisted development—and we’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.