OpenAI Announces Operator, an AI Agent That Automatically Performs Tasks on User's Behalf

The company behind ChatGPT is unveiling a new way to use AI. OpenAI has just announced Operator, an AI agent that can automatically perform tasks for you.

Operator for Pro subscribers only

AI agents are designed to access the web and complete tasks for users. Some of the current tasks it can perform include making dinner reservations, shopping for an item, filling out forms, etc.

OpenAI is partnering with a number of companies, including DoorDash, Instacart, OpenTable, Priceline, StubHub, Thumbtack, and Uber.

In a blog post, OpenAI further described how Operator works:

The Operator can "see" (via screenshots) and "interact" (using all actions allowed by the mouse and keyboard) with the browser, allowing it to perform actions on the web without needing to integrate a custom API.

If it encounters a challenge or makes a mistake, the Operator can leverage its reasoning capabilities to self-correct. When it gets stuck and needs assistance, it simply returns control to the user, ensuring a smooth and collaborative experience.

Along with some built-in prompts, users can also add their own custom instructions. Operator can also run multiple tasks at the same time.

However, the agent is far from perfect. OpenAI says the agent currently struggles with complex interfaces, such as calendar management.

Operator is available on a separate website. Currently, Operator is only available as a 'research preview' to anyone who signs up for the $200/month Pro plan, which launches in December 2024.

In the future, this tool will come to Plus, Team, and Enterprise users. Operator will also be integrated directly into ChatGPT.

The Next Generation of AI

While ChatGPT and other previous chatbots were passive and required the user to lead the interaction, Operator is a new generation of AI. Putting AI to work to perform tasks on the web could make the technology even more useful in everyday life.

OpenAI is betting big on AI agents. In a late 2024 blog post, CEO Sam Altman said AI agents could enter the workforce by 2025.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 26 January 2025