OpenAI held its annual developer conference recently, unveiling several AI innovations, including an app store for ChatGPT and a video-generation API. However, the most significant reveal for industry watchers was the general availability of Codex, OpenAI’s AI software engineer. This development signifies a shift in software engineering, highlighting how businesses might evolve in utilizing AI technology.
The transition of Codex from a “research preview” to a fully supported product includes a new software development kit (SDK), a Slack integration, and enhanced administrative controls. This move indicates that Codex is prepared for use in critical applications within large enterprises.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, remarked on the speed of product development with AI, suggesting that software can now be created considerably faster than it could previously. This capability stems from OpenAI’s internal adoption of Codex, which has reportedly led to significant productivity improvements among its technical staff.
Central to Codex’s upgrade is GPT-5-Codex, a model designed for autonomous coding. This version allows Codex to manage complex tasks over extended periods, demonstrating capabilities beyond basic code autocompletion. Reports indicate that 92% of OpenAI’s technical staff now use Codex, resulting in a notable increase in weekly code contributions.
Codex also plays a crucial role in OpenAI’s product development processes, having been used to create various applications showcased during the conference. The system includes features specifically built for enterprise software teams, such as advanced code review functionalities that help identify bugs efficiently.
OpenAI’s focus on enterprise solutions is believed to be part of its strategy to validate its valuation and substantial computing investments. High-profile companies, like Cisco, are adopting Codex to enhance their software development workflows, indicating a growing trend within the industry. The general availability of Codex may signal a significant evolution in how software development integrates AI technologies.
Source: https://venturebeat.com/ai/the-most-important-openai-announcement-you-probably-missed-at-devday-2025