AD Tech Watch #4: ChatGPT Gets Always-On Agents, Google Pushes AI Mode, Late Tax Now Costs More

AD Tech Watch is our short, selected roundup of the AI, search and software news that matters to businesses in Nigeria, explained in plain English. In this issue: ChatGPT gets agents that keep working when you close the chat, Google pushes its AI Mode onto the Search homepage, paying tax late in Nigeria becomes as expensive as a bank loan from today, and Google Ads moves search campaigns onto AI.

Issue #4 · 1 October 2026 · By AD Technologies Limited, an AI technology company in Lagos

1. ChatGPT Launches “Dots”: Agents That Keep Working After You Close the Chat

What happened: At its DevDay event on 29 September, OpenAI launched “dots”, always-on ChatGPT agents that run on their own cloud computer and browser, keep working between conversations and learn from your feedback. In one early test, a dot found an invoice that had not been sent, prepared it and sent it once the user approved. Dots rolled out on 30 September to ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium subscribers in eligible markets, with the first dot included, alongside a new Pro 500 plan at $500 a month. You set Custom Rules for what a dot may do on its own and what needs your approval, and actions that affect your accounts are reviewed automatically before they run.

What this means for Nigerian businesses: AI that does admin work, not just answers questions, is now a product you can buy. Before you subscribe, list three repetitive jobs that cost your team hours each week, such as chasing invoices, follow-up messages or weekly reports, and start with one. Keep approval on for anything that sends money or messages customers, and remember the price is in dollars. Your customers’ agents will also start researching suppliers for them, so make sure your website answers their questions clearly: see generative engine optimization in Nigeria.

Sources: OpenAI, BetaNews.

2. Google Puts AI Mode on the Search Homepage, and Clicks Keep Falling

What happened: Through September, Google placed an AI Mode button directly on the Search homepage for many users and made its “Ask anything” bar easier to find. Google says AI Mode now has more than 1 billion monthly users. People in AI Mode write questions about three times longer than normal searches and click through to websites far less; an Ahrefs study linked AI Overviews to a 58% lower click-through rate. Google also started pulling AI Mode into AI Overviews and expanded AI reporting in Search Console to more publishers.

What this means for Nigerian businesses: You can rank on page one and still get fewer visitors, because Google now answers the question itself. What counts is whether your business is named in that answer. Write pages that answer the long, specific questions buyers now type, such as “how much does solar installation cost for a 3-bedroom flat in Lekki”, with real prices, areas served and comparisons, as text on the page.

Sources: TIME, Search Engine Roundtable.

3. From Today, Paying Tax Late Costs as Much as a Bank Loan

What happened: From 1 October 2026, interest on unpaid naira tax in Nigeria accrues daily, as simple interest, at the CBN Monetary Policy Rate plus 1 percentage point, and never below the 364-day Treasury Bill yield. This sits on top of the one-off 10% late-payment penalty under section 65 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025. Unpaid foreign-currency tax attracts SOFR plus 6 points. The Nigeria Tax Administration Order 2026 applies to the Nigeria Revenue Service, state revenue services and the FCT, and the NRS publishes each month’s rate within the first three business days. On ₦10 million of unpaid tax, that means an immediate ₦1 million penalty plus daily interest. “Tax that is due belongs to the public. When it is paid late, Government may have to borrow to fill the gap,” said Taiwo Oyedele.

What this means for Nigerian businesses: Delaying tax is no longer cheap credit. Put every filing and payment date for VAT, PAYE and company income tax in a shared calendar, set the money aside in a separate account each month, and if cash is tight, talk to the tax authority before the due date: authorities can waive penalties and interest under section 66 where there is sufficient cause. Ask your accountant to check for any outstanding balances now.

Sources: Legit.ng, Lawyard.

4. Google Ads Moves Search Campaigns Onto AI Max

What happened: During September, Google automatically moved Search campaigns that used campaign-level broad match or automatically created assets onto AI Max, its AI-driven setup that chooses which searches to show your ads for and writes extra ad text. New campaigns of those older types have been blocked since 3 August. Dynamic Search Ads are next: advertisers are being notified now, reminders follow on 15 January 2027, and automatic migration runs from 1 to 28 February 2027. Brand inclusions and exclusions carry over.

What this means for Nigerian businesses: If you run Google Ads, your ads may now be showing for searches you never chose, with headlines you did not write. This week, open the search terms report, add negative keywords for anything irrelevant, and read the AI-written ad text for wrong prices or promises. Check cost per lead rather than clicks, because broader matching can raise spend without raising sales.

Sources: Search Engine Land, Google.

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