- OpenAI's Operator is a new AI agent that automates tasks like booking travel, shopping, and making reservations.
- It uses the Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, which interacts with website interfaces similar to how a human would.
- Currently available in the U.S. for ChatGPT Pro users at $200/month, Operator requires user confirmation for sensitive actions and mandates supervision for banking-related tasks.
OpenAI has unveiled Operator, a cutting-edge AI agent designed to perform tasks via a web browser autonomously. The announcement marks a major step forward for AI agents, which CEO Sam Altman previously called a key focus for 2025.
Currently available as a research preview for U.S. users subscribed to ChatGPT’s $200 Pro plan, Operator is set to expand to Plus, Team, and Enterprise tiers in the future. While OpenAI plans to roll out the feature to other countries, Europe’s availability will take longer, according to Altman.
Accessible through operator.chatgpt.com, Operator can automate tasks such as booking travel, shopping online, and making reservations. Users can select from task categories like shopping, dining, travel, and delivery. The AI agent uses its own dedicated browser, allowing users to monitor and override actions as needed.
Operator is powered by OpenAI’s Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, which combines GPT-4o’s vision capabilities with advanced reasoning. Unlike traditional methods that rely on APIs, the CUA interacts with website interfaces like a human, using buttons, menus, and forms. OpenAI is collaborating with companies like DoorDash, eBay, and Uber to ensure Operator respects their terms of service.
To address safety concerns, Operator requires user confirmation before finalizing tasks involving external actions. For sensitive tasks like banking, active user supervision is mandated. While Operator cannot yet manage highly complex tasks or bypass challenges like CAPTCHAs, OpenAI plans to refine its capabilities over time.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
