OpenAI’s Strategic Move to Own the Desktop
OpenAI has significantly ramped up its efforts to integrate ChatGPT deeply into desktop environments. The company announced the acquisition of Software Applications Incorporated on October 25, 2025. This company is the creator of the Sky AI interface for Mac computers. This strategic acquisition is led by Nick Turley, VP and Head of ChatGPT, who noted that this move accelerates their vision. The goal is to evolve ChatGPT from merely answering prompts to actively helping users “get things done.” Sky’s robust integration with Mac is crucial to this plan.
Sky’s Functionality and Future
Sky is an AI-powered natural language interface designed for the Mac. It runs its core AI functions directly on the computer, not just through a web browser. The application appears as an AI assistant that floats over the user’s desktop. It has the crucial ability to view and record the user’s screen. This enables the AI to understand the current context and perform actions based on a user’s intent.
The former Apple employees who founded Software Applications Incorporated previously created Workflow. That app was later acquired by Apple and became the Shortcuts feature on iOS. This history confirms the team’s deep expertise in Mac automation.
A May 2025 demo showcased Sky’s capabilities. It demonstrated the AI’s ability to take actions like adding dinner plans from a text message to a calendar. It could also research nearby locations and draft a corresponding response to the text sender. This agentic AI system requires numerous permissions to carry out these actions.
Implications for AI Security and the World
Software Applications Incorporated CEO and co-founder Ari Weinstein stated that they built Sky to make computers more “empowering, customizable, and intuitive.” Joining OpenAI will help them bring this vision to millions of people across the world. All members of the Sky development team are joining OpenAI.
While the native-based application status of Sky might alleviate some concerns compared to a browser-based agent, its need for extensive screen access has already raised concerns among cybersecurity experts. This acquisition follows OpenAI’s launch of the ChatGPT Atlas browser for Mac a week earlier. This pair of moves shows OpenAI’s aggressive entry into the desktop computing space. This sets the stage for intensified competition with Apple’s own upcoming AI upgrades.
Source: Mashable
