OpenAI has launched a new tool, the Responses API, designed to simplify the development of AI-powered applications.
This new tool, available at no extra cost, will replace the existing Assistants API, which will be discontinued by mid-2026.
The Responses API enables developers to integrate OpenAI’s built-in tools into their applications, making it easier to create AI agents that can perform tasks independently.
Unlike the previous, it offers enhanced flexibility, allowing developers to incorporate web search, file search, and computer use functionalities without needing multiple integrations.
The release of these tools comes as competition in the AI sector gets hotter, particularly with emerging Chinese startups. Monica, a Chinese AI company, recently launched Manus, an autonomous AI agent that claims to outperform OpenAI’s DeepResearch agent.
Monica also announced a partnership with the developers of Alibaba’s Qwen AI models, further expanding its reach in the sector.
OpenAI acknowledged that many developers face challenges in building production-ready AI applications due to complex integration processes. The company stated: “Customers have shared that turning these capabilities into production-ready agents can be challenging, often requiring extensive prompt iteration and custom orchestration logic without sufficient visibility or built-in support.”
The Responses API aims to address these issues by simplifying agent logic, improving orchestration, and making AI interactions more efficient.
OpenAI has also introduced an Agents SDK to help developers coordinate single-agent and multi-agent workflows. Added to these, observability tools have been integrated to provide better insights into agent performance.
With these enhancements, OpenAI hopes to maintain its competitive edge, particularly as international AI firms are building technology at lower costs.
