“The future of AI is agentic.”

said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the beginning of 2025. With this prediction, he meant nothing less than a paradigm shift: instead of merely providing information, AI models like ChatGPT should now actively act and take on tasks. With the introduction of Operator, a groundbreaking AI agent that independently performs online tasks, OpenAI is taking a big step in this direction. Looking for expertise? An AI company offers tailored solutions for challenges in this field.

Imagine being able to simply leave tedious tasks like booking a restaurant reservation, searching for concert tickets, or shopping for groceries to an AI. This is exactly the vision of Operator. As a virtual assistant with its own web browser, Operator is designed not only to save you time but also to change the way you use the internet.

In this article, we take a closer look at Operator, its features, the technology behind it, and the possibilities that this AI agent could open up for our everyday lives.

Key Takeaways: OpenAI's Operator

What is Operator?

  • An AI agent that independently performs online tasks such as restaurant reservations, online shopping, or travel bookings.

  • Currently available exclusively to US-based ChatGPT Pro users ($200/month).

Technology behind Operator:

  • Based on the Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, which combines GPT-4o's vision processing with GUI interaction skills.

  • Works with screenshots and logical planning to operate user interfaces like a human.

Use cases:

  • Automating tasks such as shopping, reservations, and form management.

  • Working with platforms such as DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart to optimize functionality.

Potential for users:

  • Time savings through automation of repetitive tasks.

  • Flexibility to work on parallel tasks and adapt to individual requirements.

Challenges and limitations:

  • Problems with complex or non-standardized websites (e.g. CAPTCHAs).

  • Manual intervention required for sensitive actions such as payment information.

  • Limited task variety and rate limits in the current development phase.

Future prospects:

  • Operator could significantly simplify everyday life and revolutionize the use of the internet.

  • The balance between automation and human control remains essential to ensure security and reliability.

What is OpenAI's Operator?

Operator is OpenAI's latest AI agent designed to perform everyday online tasks autonomously. At its core, it is an extension of ChatGPT's capabilities that goes beyond simply answering questions: Operator interacts directly with the internet by using its own web browser. The goal? To automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks and give users back valuable time.

The tasks that Operator can perform include:

  • Restaurant reservations: Find and book an available table in a specific time frame via platforms such as OpenTable.

  • Online shopping: Search, compare and buy products within a given budget.

  • Travel bookings: Organizing flights, hotels and rental cars.

  • Ticket purchases: Finding and booking concert tickets or other events.

How does Operator work? Users enter their instructions as text, similar to ChatGPT. But unlike conventional AI chatbots, Operator actively executes these instructions by visiting websites, filling out forms and clicking buttons – much like a human assistant. Meanwhile, the user always remains in control: every critical action, such as entering payment details, requires manual confirmation. If you are considering implementing a project in this environment, a Chatbot development company could provide you with the necessary expertise and support.

Use of Operator is currently limited to US-based Pro subscribers, who pay $200 per month. However, OpenAI has announced that the service will gradually be released to other subscribers, including Plus, Team and Enterprise plans. Global availability is planned, although CEO Sam Altman says the rollout in Europe will take a little longer.

With Operator, OpenAI is introducing a technology that not only saves time but also has the potential to fundamentally change users' daily lives and the way they work.

The technology behind Operator

Operator is a powerful combination of modern AI technology and automation approaches. The core of the system is the so-called Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, which combines various skills to interact with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) – the same tools that humans use every day.

How does the CUA model work?

The CUA model combines two essential technologies:

  1. Vision processing: Based on the capabilities of GPT-4o, Operator can recognize and interpret content on websites. This includes text, images, buttons and forms.

  2. Step-by-step logic: The AI plans tasks in logical steps. For example, it can book a reservation by filling in fields, selecting times and completing confirmations – much like a human being.

To achieve this, Operator stores and analyzes screenshots of the web pages it visits. This data helps the AI to understand the user interface and take the correct action. For example, Operator can navigate through drop-down menus, activate checkboxes and click buttons. As part of project implementation in this area, involving an UX design agency is often a key factor for success.

Benchmarks and performance

The capabilities of the CUA model were measured using several benchmarks:

  • 38.1% success rate in complex computer tasks (OSWorld test).

  • 58.1% success rate in web-based tasks (WebArena benchmark).

  • 87% success rate for simple web tasks (WebVoyager).

These results show that Operator is particularly reliable for standard tasks, but that challenges still exist for complex or non-standardized interfaces.

Comparison with existing technologies

Operator is based on concepts familiar from automation frameworks such as Playwright or Selenium. The difference is that while these tools rely on pre-programmed automation, Operator uses artificial intelligence to react flexibly to unknown websites. This makes it more versatile and adaptable than traditional automation software. Are you looking for support? A React development company will guide you reliably through all project phases.

Working with partners

To ensure smooth interaction, OpenAI is working with companies such as DoorDash, Uber, Instacart and OpenTable. These collaborations ensure that Operator works effectively and in accordance with the terms of service of these platforms.

The technology behind Operator demonstrates how far AI has come. By combining computer vision, machine learning, and automation, OpenAI is paving the way for broader use of AI agents in everyday life. For anyone looking to enter this sector, a machine learning development company is the ideal partner to successfully bring your project to life.

Use cases and potential

The Operator agent offers a wide range of use cases that aim to automate everyday tasks and save users time and effort. With its skills, Operator could be a valuable support in both private and professional settings.

Typical use cases

Shopping and orders:

  • Finding and comparing products in online stores.

  • Ordering groceries through platforms like Instacart.

  • Managing returns or tracking orders.

Travel bookings:

  • Organizing flights, hotels, and rental cars.

  • Optimizing bookings based on a given budget or time frame.

  • Managing rebookings or cancellations.

Restaurant and event reservations:

  • Search and book an available table on platforms like OpenTable.

  • Find concert or event tickets within a set price range.

  • Match with personal schedules.

Managing accounts and documents:

  • Automatic form filling.

  • Creating and organizing lists or reports.

  • Managing user accounts or appointments.

Advantages for the user

  • Time savings: routine tasks can be completed in minutes that would otherwise require a great deal of time and attention.

  • Flexibility: the operator can perform various tasks in parallel and adapt to new requirements.

  • Convenience: Instead of navigating through multiple platforms and menus, users can simply delegate the work.

Potential for companies

In addition to supporting individual users, Operator also offers new possibilities for companies that want to optimize their services with the help of AI:

  • Integration into existing platforms: Companies like DoorDash and Uber benefit from Operator's ability to use their services efficiently and make them accessible to customers.

  • Enhanced interaction options: Automation enables companies to create personalized experiences without investing additional resources.

Limits of use cases

Despite its versatility, Operator also has limitations:

  • Manual intervention: Users have to take action themselves for sensitive actions such as payment details or logins.

  • Complex interfaces: Non-standardized websites or CAPTCHAs can overwhelm the AI.

  • Limited tasks: Some actions, such as sending e-mails or deleting calendar events, are currently not supported for security reasons.

Operator offers great potential for making everyday life easier and for efficiently completing monotonous tasks. However, while the technology is promising, it is still in an early phase of development that leaves room for improvement.

Challenges and limitations

Although Operator has promising capabilities, there are still some challenges and limitations that currently restrict its use. These aspects are crucial to understanding the full potential of the technology and setting realistic expectations.

Technical challenges

Error-prone for complex tasks:

  • Operator works particularly well with standardized user interfaces. However, complex or unusual websites with non-standard interfaces or elements that are difficult to access (e.g. nested menus) can cause problems.

  • CAPTCHA security questions or password fields still require manual intervention.

Limited task variety:

  • Some tasks, such as sending emails, editing calendar events or creating complex documents, are not currently supported.

  • OpenAI plans to expand these capabilities in the future, but has not yet published a clear timeline for doing so.

Rate limits and resource restrictions:

  • Operator is limited to a certain number of daily tasks, which are dynamically adjusted based on subscription and usage.

  • A limited number of parallel tasks can be processed at the same time.

Security concerns

Manual monitoring required:

  • For sensitive actions, such as entering payment information or verifying orders, user intervention is required.

  • This limits the autonomy of the agent and increases the dependency on human supervision.

Defenses against abuse:

  • OpenAI has implemented measures to prevent malicious use, such as phishing attempts or manipulation through harmful input. Nevertheless, the possibility of human error or unforeseen security vulnerabilities remains.

  • An integrated monitoring system (“Monitor Model”) is designed to detect and block suspicious activity.

Comparison with other technologies

  • Anthropics and Google's approaches: OpenAI is not the only company working on AI agents. Competitors such as Anthropic and Google are pursuing similar goals, which increases the pressure on OpenAI to further improve Operator.

  • Compared to classic automation frameworks such as Selenium or Playwright, Operator has the advantage of AI-supported flexibility, but it still lacks precision and reliability.

Current state of development

  • Operator is still in the “Research Preview” phase, which means that the system is still being developed and is not reliable for all scenarios.

  • OpenAI itself points out that the technology in its current state cannot reliably perform all tasks. Users should therefore be prepared to intervene manually if Operator “gets stuck”.

Conclusion

OpenAI's Operator is an exciting step into the future of AI agents and shows the potential to automate everyday tasks and fundamentally change the way we interact with the internet. The idea of having a virtual assistant that can handle tasks for you such as restaurant reservations, ticket bookings or online shopping is revolutionary and could make many people's lives much easier.

Summary of the key points

  • How it works: Operator uses advanced AI technology to independently operate websites, fill out forms and solve tasks step by step.

  • Technological innovation: Operator's combination of visual processing, logical reasoning and automation sets it apart from conventional tools.

  • Potential: The agent promises significant time savings for routine online tasks and offers companies new ways of interacting.

  • Challenges: Despite the impressive technology, there are still technical limitations, such as problems with complex websites or the need for manual intervention in sensitive tasks.

Outlook

With Operator, OpenAI is setting a milestone in the development of AI agents that not only passively provide information but can also actively act. While the technology is still in the research phase, it clearly shows the direction of travel: a future in which AI agents will become increasingly autonomous and make everyday life easier for users.

At the same time, striking the right balance between automation and human control remains crucial to the safe and reliable use of the technology. It will be interesting to see how Operator and similar systems develop in the coming years and what role they will play in our digital lives.