AI Controlling Computers Directly? The Future of Work Opened by OpenAI’s Newest Model, 'GPT-6 Astra'

Imagine this: You wake up in the morning, sit down at your computer, and tell your AI assistant, “Find and organize market research data for today’s meeting from the web.” The AI then opens the browser itself, explores relevant sites, organizes the core data into an Excel file, and saves it to your desktop. All you have to do is open the file and review it. While this future might seem like a distant story, it is no longer a scene from a science fiction movie.

On September 3, 2026, OpenAI officially announced ‘GPT-6 Astra,’ a new milestone in the field of artificial intelligence [Source 3, Source 10]. This model goes beyond simple improvements to the previous GPT-5.6 series, demonstrating a ‘generational leap’ that changes the very way artificial intelligence handles tools [Source 3, Source 10].

Why is this important?

In everyday work environments, AI is transforming from a ‘smart chatbot’ into an ‘agent that performs practical work.’ GPT-6 Astra is designed to directly see and judge computer screens and autonomously complete complex professional tasks such as browsing, software engineering, and cybersecurity [Source 14].

In particular, it recorded a high score of 61 on the Intelligence Index (v4.1.1), surpassing the previously powerful model, GPT-5.6 Sol, by a score difference of 60.3 to 55.1, to become the No. 1 integrated model [Source 10, Source 12]. This signifies more than just a performance boost; it means that the professional work processing capability expected of AI by enterprises has evolved to the next level [Source 14].

Understanding it easily

To easily understand how GPT-6 Astra works, let’s compare it to a ‘chef.’

If previous AI models were a ‘recipe library’ that knew recipes very well, GPT-6 Astra is closer to a ‘professional chef’ who enters the kitchen, grabs the tools, and completes the dish.

First, Multimodal Capability: This model understands eye (visual), ear (audio), and text information simultaneously [Source 3]. It is like a person seeing ingredients with their eyes, listening to orders with their ears, and cooking with their hands. Simply put, AI has begun to grasp its surroundings with senses almost similar to those of humans.

Second, Chain of Thought: When solving complex problems, the AI does not provide the answer all at once. Just like writing down the steps to solve a math problem, it logically infers by passing through intermediate steps on its own through ‘reinforcement learning and verifiable rewards’ [Source 13]. Doing this allows for much more sophisticated and accurate results.

Current situation

Of course, where there is light, there is shadow. Currently, GPT-6 Astra is subject to ‘stricter standards’ than any other model [Source 7]. As powerful as its intelligence is, it tends to firmly block attempts to generate content outside of OpenAI’s corporate policy scope [Source 7].

Also, while its performance as a professional work tool is overwhelming, it has a strong ‘instrumental character’ focused thoroughly on productivity rather than being a model for individuals to simply enjoy. Users who want to use this model currently use it in conjunction with development tools like VS Code and Cursor, or apply it to various services through OpenAI’s API [Source 8, Source 9].

What will happen in the future?

Along with the release of this model, OpenAI President Greg Brockman mentioned that the ‘era of strong AI’ has begun [Source 10]. We will see the following changes in the future:

1. Expansion of AI’s scope of action: Beyond simply giving answers, the proportion of AI autonomously running software, modifying files, and completing tasks will increase [Source 14].
2. Economic impact of technology: The development of such AI models has an immediate impact on the market economy. Following the news of the model’s release, global financial markets, including the rise of China’s CSI 300 index, are reacting sensitively to the emergence of new AI models [Source 11].
3. Continuous competition: As comparisons with other models like Claude Fable 5.1 continue, the efficiency competition that enables more complex reasoning at a lower cost is expected to intensify [Source 5, Source 6].

AI Opinion: The Prelude to the Era of Agentic AI

GPT-6 Astra has opened the first door for artificial intelligence to step out of its warehouse of abstract knowledge and into our physical and digital work environments.

If AI until now was at the level of answering human ‘questions,’ it is now evolving into an agent that understands human ‘intent’ and controls tools on its own. However, as AI becomes smarter, social discussion about how much autonomy we will give AI will become even more important. Today’s AI has become a reliable colleague that helps us with our work, but deciding the rules of behavior for that colleague and setting the direction remains our role as humans.

References

1. Did OpenAI Actually Build AGI? GPT-6 Astra Is NOT What… - YouTube
2. OpenAI Launches GPT-6 Astra: Multimodal AI Model
3. GPT-6 Astra Is Here: New Capabilities, Benchmarks, and How to…

4. [GPT-6 Astra vs Claude Fable 5.1: What’s Actually…

   Using Claude](https://usingclaude.com/en/guides/models/gpt-6-astra-vs-fable-5-1-comparison)

5. GPT-6 Astra vs Claude Fable 5.1: Which Frontier Model Is… - CometAPI
6. GPT-6 Astra NSFW: Why It’s the Most Censored Model Yet…

7. [ChatGpt6Astra

   GPT6Astra FREE! How to Use… - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_V1hDyfPtI)

8. [Как пользоваться GPT-6 Astra — в ChatGPT, Codex…

   Postium](https://postium.ru/gpt-6-astra/)

9. Переход на GPT-6 Astra обходится дороже… - vibecoding.ru
10. Новая ИИ-модель OpenAI GPT-6 Astra подтолкнула акции…
11. GPT-5.6 Sol vs GPT-6 Astra: Benchmarks, Pricing & Which Is Better in…
12. GPT-6 Astra, Looped Transformers, and Hidden Reasoning

13. [OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra model autonomously…

    Tom’s Hardware](https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/openais-gpt-6-astra-model-autonomously-completes-portal-in-24-hours-feat-cost-just-usd571-in-tokens)