OpenAI takes aim at Anthropic with beefed-up Codex that gives it more power over your desktop

OpenAI is intensifying its competition with Anthropic in the realm of AI-powered coding tools. Recently, Anthropic's Claude Code has gained traction among businesses, positioning itself as a preferred choice for many. However, OpenAI is determined to reclaim its standing by introducing significant upgrades to its own coding assistant, Codex. In a recent announcement, OpenAI revealed that Codex has been revamped with a suite of new features. Among the most striking enhancements is the ability for Codex to function in the background on users’ desktops. This means it can open applications and perform tasks using a cursor, all while the user continues their own work in other programs. According to OpenAI, this capability allows multiple agents to operate simultaneously without disrupting ongoing tasks. The updated Codex is designed to serve as a coding partner, assisting with auxiliary responsibilities while users focus on more critical projects. OpenAI suggests that this could include tasks like iterating on frontend changes, testing applications, or interacting with software that lacks API support. As the AI coding landscape evolves, observers note that many of the new functionalities in Codex mirror those previously offered by Anthropic's Claude Code. Just last month, Anthropic had launched features allowing Claude and Cowork to manage desktop operations on behalf of users who step away from their keyboards. In addition to agent functionalities, the latest version of Codex includes an in-app browser. This feature enables users to command the tool to execute tasks within specific web applications, which OpenAI believes will be beneficial for frontend and game development. Future updates are expected to enhance this capability, potentially allowing Codex to manage more extensive web operations. OpenAI has also introduced a new “memory” feature in preview mode, enabling Codex to remember previous sessions and provide context on a user’s workflow. Furthermore, Codex now boasts image-generation capabilities, useful for creating product visuals, mockups, and other corporate materials. To enhance productivity, OpenAI announced 111 new plugin integrations with platforms like CodeRabbit and GitLab Issues. These plugins empower Codex to automate routine clerical tasks, such as organizing a user’s Slack messages or Google Calendar to generate daily to-do lists. Additionally, OpenAI has rolled out a pay-as-you-go pricing model for Codex targeted towards enterprise and business users, offering more flexibility in accessing the coding tool. As OpenAI navigates increased competition with Anthropic and addresses ongoing controversies, it remains focused on developing robust enterprise solutions while shifting away from consumer-oriented applications like its social video platform, Sora 2.