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Work is the mode in University of Maine System (UMS) ChatGPT Edu for longer, multi-step tasks. Describe what you need, and Work researches, analyzes, and builds the finished document, spreadsheet, presentation, or report.
Coming change: OpenAI plans to combine Chat and Work into one ChatGPT experience. This article will be updated when that change reaches the UMS workspace.
ChatGPT has two modes, Chat and Work, and Codex is a separate space for code.
| Mode |
Use it for |
Who has it |
| Chat |
Quick questions, search, brainstorming, and everyday help |
Everyone |
| Work |
Longer, multi-step tasks that end in a finished document, spreadsheet, presentation, report, or Site |
Faculty, staff, and Power and Technical Users |
| Codex |
Writing, running, and reviewing code |
Power and Technical Users |
Work is built for jobs that take several steps: researching a topic and writing it up, analyzing a dataset and charting the results, or turning notes into a presentation. It plans the steps, carries them out, and checks in with you when it needs a decision or your approval.
Students don't have Work. Students can do most everyday tasks in Chat. See What is ChatGPT Edu for what each group includes.
On the web or mobile app
- Open ChatGPT and select Work.
- Start a new chat, or open a Project to give Work that Project's files and instructions.
- Add any files Work should use.
- Describe the result you want, including the format, audience, and anything it must include or avoid.
- Follow along as Work runs. Answer its questions, and review and approve any important actions.
- Review the result, then ask for changes in the same chat.
In the desktop app
- Open the ChatGPT desktop app and select ChatGPT from the menu.
- Select Work from the Chat and Work toggle.
- Start a new chat or open a Project, then describe your task the same way.
Work chats started on the web or mobile app also appear in the desktop app, and the other way around. Chat and Work chats appear together in Recents.
Talk to Work
You can also start or guide a Work task by voice. In Work, select the Voice control and allow microphone access. Spoken approval isn't supported, so approve actions using the on-screen buttons.
- Describe the finished product. "A two-page summary for department chairs, with a table of costs by campus" works better than "summarize this."
- Give it what it needs up front. Attach the files, data, and examples you want it to use.
- Use Projects for ongoing work. Start Work from a Project so it uses the same files and instructions each time. See ChatGPT - Projects.
- Read before you approve. Work asks before taking important actions, such as using a connected app. Check what it's about to do first.
- Use Chat for quick questions. Chat on Instant is free and faster for simple tasks. Save Work for jobs that need several steps.
- Check the result. Review facts, numbers, and citations before you share or rely on what Work produces.
Credits
Work uses your monthly credits. It charges by how much text the model reads and writes, so bigger files and longer tasks use more. You'll see Work and Codex usage in your settings under Usage. For credit amounts by group and what else uses credits, see ChatGPT - Plans & Usage Limits.
Apps, plugins, and Sites
Work can use apps and plugins that UMS has approved and turned on, and it can build simple websites and web apps with Sites. Each app still asks for your permission, and it can only reach what your own account can.
Data
Follow the same rules for UMS data in Work as anywhere else in ChatGPT Edu. Before you add files, review Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Guidance on Use.
For more about Work, see OpenAI's ChatGPT Work and Codex (External Link).
Questions about Work?
Environment
- University of Maine System (UMS) ChatGPT Edu workspace
- Work in ChatGPT
- UMS faculty, staff, and Power and Technical Users
- Web browser at chatgpt.com, plus the ChatGPT desktop and mobile apps