OpenAI just made ChatGPT a whole lot more useful — especially for anyone who sits through long meetings or records voice notes.
If you’re using ChatGPT on a Mac and have a Pro, Enterprise, or Edu plan, you can now hit “Record” and let the AI take care of the rest. From summarizing what was said to turning your speech into emails or even computer code, this new tool is like having a smart assistant built into your desktop.
Let’s break down what this new feature is, how it works, and why you might want to try it.
So, What’s Record Mode?
Think of Record mode as a voice recorder that does more than just save your words — it understands them.
With this feature, you can:
- Record meetings or notes directly in ChatGPT.
- Get an instant written summary of what was said.
- Ask ChatGPT to turn your speech into emails, notes, or even bits of code. Everything you record gets transcribed and saved in your chat history as something called a “canvas” — which you can edit, use, or build on later.
Who Can Use It?
Right now, Record mode is only available to:
- ChatGPT Pro users
- ChatGPT Enterprise users
- ChatGPT Edu accounts Also, it’s only working through the Mac desktop app at the moment. So if you’re on Windows or using the web version, you’ll have to wait for now.
How to Start Using Record Mode
Getting started is pretty simple:
- Make sure you’re using the Mac desktop app.
- Check your local recording laws — some places require you to get permission before recording others.
- Open ChatGPT and look for the mic icon.
- Click “Record” and start talking.
- When you’re done, hit “Send.” The AI will automatically generate a summary based on what you said. You can tweak it or ask it to turn your summary into a follow-up email, checklist, or something else.
How Long Can You Record?
Recordings can last up to two hours (yep, 120 minutes!). After that, ChatGPT will stop recording and get to work transcribing everything into text.
It’s ideal for longer meetings, brainstorming sessions, or even just when you need to talk out loud and organize your thoughts.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Why This Is a Big Deal
There are already apps out there like Otter.ai or Voice Memos that let you record and transcribe. But ChatGPT takes things a step further.
For example, you could record a project meeting and then tell ChatGPT:
- “Turn this into a summary email.”
- “Create a task list from this.”
- “Write a quick Slack message to update the team.” You don’t need to type out prompts — you can just speak naturally, and ChatGPT figures it out. That’s what makes this feel more like a personal assistant than just a recording tool.
A Quick Note on Privacy
OpenAI says your audio is deleted right after it’s transcribed, so the actual recordings aren’t stored.
However, the written summaries (canvases) do stay in your chat history. And unless you’ve turned off a setting called “Improve the model for everyone,” OpenAI might use that written content to help improve its tools.
If you’d rather keep things private:
- Go into ChatGPT settings.
- Find “Data Controls.”
- Switch off the option that allows OpenAI to use your content. Also, if you’re part of an Enterprise, Team, or Edu plan, your admin can turn Record mode on or off for your workspace.
Don’t Forget the Consent Rules
This is important: Recording laws are different depending on where you live.
- In some states, you can legally record as long as one person (you) knows it’s being recorded
- .
- In others, you need everyone involved to give their OK. If you’re not sure, it’s always best to let people know they’re being recorded.
Real-Life Ways You Can Use Record Mode
Here are a few ways people might use this new feature:
- Meetings: Capture and summarize team calls.
- Freelancers: Turn voice notes into client updates.
- Students: Record and simplify lectures.
- Writers: Talk through blog ideas and turn them into outlines.
- Daily life: Use it like a voice diary or to jot down thoughts while walking.
Final Thoughts
OpenAI is clearly aiming to make ChatGPT more than just a chatbot — this update shows how it can fit right into your everyday workflow.
With Record mode, your voice becomes another way to interact with AI. Whether you want summaries, to-do lists, or quick emails, you can now speak your mind and let ChatGPT do the rest.
If you’re using a Mac and have a supported plan, it’s definitely worth giving it a shot.
this post was originally published on https://techthrilled.com
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