Last Updated on January 26, 2025
OpenAI, the company behind AI sensation ChatGPT is now launching a research preview of the AI agent “Operator” that does the instructed tasks on its own by going to the web. The platform, currently exclusive to Pro users in the US, can perform type, search, click, and scroll to perform your tasks.
The US company has integrated the operator within its ChatGPT ecosystem which is accessed at operator.chatgpt.com. It runs on a “Computer-Using Agent” model combining GPT-4o with advanced reasoning through reinforcement learning” to communicate with a graphical user interface (GUI).
To illustrate, Operator can study the screenshots and interact with the mouse and keyboard with a web browser to perform tasks without needing an API.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT Operator can act on its own
OpenAI has designed Operator to act on its own after a primary prompt from a user. For e.g., if you just instruct the ChatGPT Operator to find a picnic spot in a certain area (Kathmandu, for instance), it should derive the search result with a description and even book a place itself. It can work on any browser and use a mouse, keyboard, and other computer hardware that would be necessary manually.
Or, when it works in Nepal, you might ask it to look for the best phone under 50000 on Daraz from a specific manufacturer and “buy” one for you.
OpenAI says that it emphasizes Operator to “address real-world needs” so it’s collaborating with DoorDash, ebay, Quilt, HIPCAMP, etc.
This may interest you too: Daraz has ChatGPT-powered AskDaraz, that gives you personalized recommendations
How to use ChatGPT Operator?
To use the ChatGPT operator, you can simply enter a prompt, and the Operator follows the rest. However, OpenAI says that users can take over at any point. Likewise, the operator is “trained to proactively ask the user to take over for tasks that require log in, payment details, or solving CAPTCHAs.” The company also adds that the agent can make mistakes but uses reasoning capabilities to “self-correct”. If it can’t get through, it asks the user to take over.
Operator also declines to perform action such as banking transactions or things relating to a job application.
ChatGPT Operator Availability
Currently, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Operator is available in the US at $200 per month for ChatGPT Pro subscribers. It is not yet available in Nepal. But it’s easy to guess that after feedback and refinements, it will roll out to more regions and other plans as well.
OpenAI is ushering in another AI-backed future!
OpenAI has established itself as a leader in AI starting with ChatGPT. But the AI is likely taking a new automation milestone with the Operator agent. Having a tool that can go to the web use a mouse, or keyboard, and perform an action is exciting, fulfilling, wholesome, and convenient. On the flipside though, AI learns and evolves. And that could pose a threat.
the ability to perform the act on its own albeit after a user command can unleash it to perform the act randomly in time of a technical glitch or a breach. Well, OpenAI is just doing everything to avoid that and it says that the Operator will decline sensitive actions. But on a broader spectrum, AI can do unwanted and undesirable things too. So, it must be working with the greatest extent of caution. Nonetheless, Operator sounds interesting and a new justification of AI in real-life use cases.
Also read: OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Search, Availability, How to Use?
What do you think of the power and capabilities of OpenAI Operator? Should AI be just like it? To help us with everyday tasks or is it going to make you lazy and too dependent on tech. Do share your valuable input in our comment section below.
