Tara Seshan on OpenAI’s Vision for ChatGPT and Work

A product lead explains a goal of simplifying model and interface choices.

TSTara SeshanGuest
Channel
Lenny's Podcast
Published
Sep 4, 2026
Video
1:20
Read
1 min
Original
English
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SUMMARY

In 30 seconds

Tara Seshan describes an intended future where users state a task and the system chooses the appropriate tools. She also explains the ChatGPT, Codex, chat and work options available in the interface shown at the time.

  1. 1A single task entrySeshan wants users to describe a task without selecting every technical option.
  2. 2Automatic selectionHer proposed future system would select the model and working environment.
  3. 3Near-term modesShe describes the development-oriented Codex interface and ChatGPT chat and work modes.

Takeaways

  1. The stated goal is to reduce the choices users must make before starting a task.
  2. Seshan describes automatic selection as a future vision.
  3. Her explanation of chat, work and Codex reflects the interface shown at the time.
FULL TEXT

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01

Product vision and current choices

Seshan explains the long-term goal and the modes shown in this clip.

The host asks OpenAI product lead Tara Seshan why the app presents choices between ChatGPT and Codex and between chat and work modes. The clip describes a product vision and interface at the time of recording, not necessarily the current interface.

Seshan says the long-term goal is for users to describe a task without having to choose among models and technical interfaces. In her example, the system would select the appropriate model and working environment for building an app.

For the near-term interface she describes Codex as the more development-oriented experience, and ChatGPT as another way to access the underlying capabilities. She says chat mode supports conversation and search, while work mode uses Codex underneath for tasks such as building a financial model.

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