AI・テクノロジー
The Era of AI Controlling Your Screen Has Arrived──OpenAI Codex April 2026 Update
機械翻訳 / Machine-translated
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機械翻訳 / Machine-translated
On April 16, 2026, OpenAI announced a major update to Codex. What was once a "tool for writing code" has evolved into an agent that launches desktop apps, controls the cursor, and operates web apps in a browser.
"I can't program." "I've never opened Photoshop." "Excel macros are beyond me."──Tasks you once gave up on for these reasons can now get moving when you work alongside AI. The wall of technical skill is disappearing, leaving only "what you want to do"──and on April 16, 2026, that world drew one step closer.
According to TechCrunch's coverage, this Codex update brings three major changes.
Codex now runs in the background on your computer, opening any app and performing cursor-based operations. Tell it "Open Excel and summarize the sales data," and the AI will actually move the mouse, select cells, and enter formulas.
With a browser integrated directly into Codex, users can now issue instructions to web applications as well. "Change the colors in this design in Figma." "Sort column A in Google Sheets in ascending order."──The AI carries out these actions right on your screen.
A new preview feature called "Memory" allows Codex to remember past work sessions. If you told it last time "save the weekly report to this folder," next time it will automatically save there. No more repeating the same explanation every session.
What this change means is that the presence or absence of technical skill is no longer a barrier to trying.
People who started learning to program and gave up. People who opened design software and closed it five minutes later. People who told themselves "this isn't for me." That "can't" transforms, after April 2026, into "I can do this with AI."
Looking at 2026 AI side-hustle trends, the pattern is clear: "those who can harness AI have the advantage." With tools like Codex, even without the ability to write code, you can bring a service to life on the strength of ideas and instructions alone. For anyone who never had time to attend a programming school, this is a huge opportunity.
Figma and Photoshop have complex interfaces built for professionals. But if you instruct Codex to "remove the background from this image" or "center this logo," the AI handles the operation for you. You no longer need to learn how to use the tools──all that matters is the ability to put your vision into words.
Many people have tried to learn Excel macros and given up. But with Codex, you simply describe your goal──"Summarize the sales data every Monday and send it to my manager by email"──and the AI figures out the steps. Even without time to learn the technology, you can achieve real gains in work efficiency.
The vision HAIIA champions──"getting the dreams you gave up on moving again, together with AI"──is becoming reality in 2026 through tools like Codex. The path to "self-realization" described in HAIIA's three pillars has been opened wide by the evolution of AI agents.
So what should you actually do tomorrow?
If you don't yet have an OpenAI account, sign up at the official website. Codex preview features are rolling out gradually, so you may need to join a waitlist.
Rather than diving into a complex project, begin with simple instructions like "Open Chrome and search Google for 'AI agent.'" Watch how the AI behaves and build up a sense of trust.
AI agents aren't perfect. If your instructions are vague, the AI may behave differently than you expected. But that's a chance to learn. Trial and error──"I'll be more specific next time" or "I'll phrase it this way instead"──is exactly the process of growing alongside AI.
HAIIA's certification program offers a structured curriculum for learning AI utilization skills. If you want to build the knowledge to apply tools like Codex to real work or side projects, it's worth checking out.
This Codex update is also a direct response to Anthropic's Claude Code. According to CNBC's coverage, OpenAI criticized Anthropic in a memo to shareholders, underscoring just how fierce the competition has become.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google are cooperating to combat Chinese companies copying AI models. Competing with each other while collaborating against shared threats──that complex dynamic is emblematic of the AI industry in 2026.
For individual users, this competition brings the benefit of accelerating tool improvements. Every time OpenAI and Anthropic go head to head, new features emerge, usability improves, and prices fall. As discussed on the Join Us page, the HAIIA community shares these developments in real time and explores together how individuals can put AI to work.
It depends on OpenAI's pricing structure, but basic Codex features are generally included in paid plans. As of April 2026, access is likely available through the ChatGPT Plus plan at $20/month. Since preview features are rolling out gradually, check the official website for the latest information.
No. The purpose of Codex is to enable you to carry out tasks using only natural-language instructions, without any technical skills. Of course, programming knowledge allows for more advanced instructions, but everyday directives like "open Excel and run a summary" work just fine too.
As of April 2026, it supports major desktop applications (browsers, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.). However, for security reasons, access to banking apps or apps requiring authentication may be restricted.
The OpenAI Codex update on April 16, 2026 brought the future of "working alongside AI" one step closer to reality. Even if you can't program, even if you can't use design tools, as long as you can put what you want into words, AI will do the hands-on work for you.
The time has come to get those abandoned dreams moving again.
This article is reprinted from HAIIA Notes.