January 25, 2025
OpenAI's Operator: The AI Agent Revolutionising How We Use the Web
Imagine a world where your digital to-do list is handled without you lifting a finger—from booking getaways to ordering groceries, all managed by an AI assistant. This isn't a distant dream; it's the reality OpenAI is actively building with Operator, a groundbreaking AI agent.
Operator goes beyond simple chatbots, independently navigating the web to perform tasks, marking a significant shift from passive information retrieval to active task management. This leap is not unique to OpenAI, as tech giants like Google and Anthropic are also heavily investing in similar technologies.
Operator is currently available in the US to ChatGPT Pro subscribers at operator.chatgpt.com, with plans to expand access to other tiers and integrate it into ChatGPT. Its underlying technology, CUA, will also be released via an API for developers.
This article will delve into Operator's capabilities, uncover the technology that makes it work, discuss its limitations, and explore the broader implications of this technology for the future of AI.

I. How Operator Works: Unveiling the Computer-Using Agent (CUA)
The Brain
At the heart of Operator lies the Computer-Using Agent (CUA), the sophisticated AI model that powers its actions. This isn’t just an incremental upgrade; it’s a ground-up reinvention, building upon the robust foundation of GPT-4o’s advanced vision and reasoning capabilities, enhanced with reinforcement learning.
The Eyes
Unlike traditional systems that rely on code, CUA can ‘see’ the digital world as humans do. It achieves this by taking screenshots of web pages, which are then processed to analyse the raw pixel data. This allows CUA to understand the graphical user interface (GUI), recognising elements like buttons, menus, and text fields that people interact with every day. It’s like giving the AI a pair of eyes that can understand the visual language of the web.
The Hands
Once it has ‘seen’ the web page, CUA then interacts with it through virtual mouse and keyboard inputs. It clicks on buttons, navigates drop-down menus, and fills in text fields, just as a person would, executing tasks with a simulated dexterity.
Iterative Process
CUA doesn’t just act once; it operates in a continuous, iterative loop of perception, reasoning, and action. It scans the screen, decides on an action, performs that action, scans the screen again, and so on. This allows CUA to dynamically adapt to the changing environment of a web page. If it makes a mistake or hits an unexpected snag, the CUA can backtrack and self-correct, using its reasoning capabilities to get back on track.

No APIs Required
One of CUA's most significant innovations is its ability to operate without the need for Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Traditional AI models typically rely on APIs to access specific software, which limits their scope and utility. CUA bypasses this limitation, directly interacting with the front end of websites like a human user, opening up access to a vast and previously inaccessible range of websites.
Task Breakdown
Complex tasks aren’t a problem for CUA, which is trained to break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. If it gets stuck, it uses a ‘chain-of-thought’ process to re-evaluate the situation and adapt its approach, using similar techniques to OpenAI's reasoning models. This ensures that it can tackle complicated multi-step workflows and navigate through complex web pages effectively.
Unique Cloud Operation
Unlike other tools, Operator doesn't run inside your own web browser. Instead, it operates on OpenAI’s servers, executing tasks via a remote browser. This allows it to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, giving the user a smoother and more efficient experience than if it were running on a user's local machine.
II. Operator's Capabilities: What Can It Do?
Operator is more than just a tool; it's a versatile digital assistant capable of handling a wide range of tasks, freeing up your time and simplifying your digital life. Its ability to interact with the web like a human unlocks a whole host of automation possibilities.
Task Automation
Operator can automate numerous tasks, including:
- Travel Planning: It can book flights, hotels, and even campsites, taking care of all the details so you can focus on your trip.
- Dining Reservations: Making restaurant reservations is a breeze with Operator, which can navigate booking sites and find the perfect table for you.
- Online Shopping: Whether it’s ordering groceries, finding the perfect gift, or purchasing everyday items, Operator can handle your online shopping needs efficiently.
- Form Filling: Say goodbye to tedious form filling; Operator can automatically input information, saving you time and effort.
- Calendar and Reminders: Operator can help manage your schedule by adding reminders, and while it currently has limitations in managing calendars, these will be addressed in the future.
- Creating Lists: From compiling shopping lists to curating playlists, Operator can create lists based on your preferences and requirements.
User Interaction
While Operator is designed to perform tasks independently, you remain firmly in control. You can monitor its progress, and at any point, you can take over control of the browser yourself. This ensures that you can intervene if needed, or if you'd prefer to input sensitive information like login details or payment information yourself. Also, Operator is trained to ask for your confirmation before finalising actions that could have external side effects, such as placing an order or sending an email.
Practical Examples
Operator's utility can be seen in many real-world examples. For example:
- Weekly Date Nights: You can instruct Operator to find a list of five restaurants with tables for two on Thursday evening, removing the burden of having to search and book each week.
- Quick Shopping: You can quickly take a photo of your handwritten grocery list and ask Operator to add the items to your online shopping basket, saving you time and effort.
- Task Management: You can use Operator to set reminders and schedule prompts, making sure you don't forget essential tasks.

Demonstrating Operator - How to Use It?:
To truly understand Operator’s potential, let’s look at some examples of how it might be used.
Imagine you need to find the best-selling product from an online store’s admin panel. You could prompt Operator with something like:
Initialize computer and solve the following task: What is the top-1 best-selling product in 2022. The following websites are available at: magento: http://magento.site/admin. All you need is on the provided websites. Start the task from the following URL: http://magento.site/admin
Operator, using its understanding of web elements, would then navigate the site, accessing the relevant reports to find the answer, saving you time and effort.
Or, if you're planning a trip to Pittsburgh and need to find a hotel and nearby supermarket, you might ask:
Initialize computer and solve the following task: I will arrive at Pittsburgh Airport soon. Provide the name of a Hilton hotel in the vicinity, if available. Then, tell me the walking distance to the nearest supermarket owned by a local company from the hotel. The following websites are available at: openstreetmap: http://10.138.0.12. All you need is on the provided websites. Start the task from the following URL: http://10.138.0.12
Operator would then use mapping sites to find a hotel near the airport, and then locate the nearest local supermarket from that hotel, providing you with the necessary information.

Collaboration is Key
OpenAI has partnered with several businesses including DoorDash, Instacart, OpenTable, StubHub, Priceline and Uber. These collaborations are essential for making sure that Operator addresses real-world needs and respects the established norms of these services. Also, the collaborations suggest that Operator may have preset websites for certain tasks, streamlining the process.
By integrating with these popular services, Operator is not only versatile but also ready to handle many of the daily tasks that fill our lives, making our digital experience more efficient and seamless.
III. Limitations and Challenges: Where Does Operator Fall Short?
While Operator represents a significant leap forward in AI capabilities, it’s important to acknowledge that it's not a perfect, fully autonomous system. It's still in its early stages of development and, as such, has limitations. It is crucial to understand these limitations to set realistic expectations for its current performance.
Complex Tasks
Operator currently struggles with complex and specialised tasks. It cannot reliably handle intricate activities such as:
- Creating detailed slideshows.
- Managing complex calendar systems.
- Interacting with highly customised or non-standard web interfaces.
- Performing complex text editing.
- Navigating unfamiliar UIs.
Website Issues
Operator also encounters issues with specific interface elements:
- CAPTCHA checks require user intervention.
- Password fields necessitate manual input from the user.
- Complex interfaces in general can cause the agent to get stuck.
- Unfamiliar UIs can lead to inefficient actions and errors.
Rate and Usage Limits
To manage resources and prevent abuse, OpenAI has imposed several limits on Operator's use:
- There are rate limits on the number of tasks it can perform.
- There are dynamic limits on how many tasks can run simultaneously.
- There is an overall daily usage limit that resets each day.
Security and Safety
OpenAI has implemented several measures to address security and safety concerns:
- Safeguards are in place to limit the model's susceptibility to malicious prompts, hidden instructions, and phishing attempts.
- User supervision is required on sensitive websites, such as email or banking platforms, to help users catch and correct any potential mistakes.
- High-risk tasks, such as entering credit card details, are not automated and require the user to manually input the information.
- Operator may get "stuck" if it runs into complex interfaces or security protocols, and the user will be required to take over.
- Operator's inbuilt protection includes a monitoring system that terminates the agent's activity when it notices suspicious behavior, as well as automated and human-reviewed pipelines which continuously update protection mechanisms.
- The system is designed to refuse harmful requests and block disallowed content.
- While the system was able to identify most prompt injections in testing, it may still be vulnerable to new threats.
User Feedback
Early user feedback has revealed some issues:
- There have been reports of inconsistent performance with Operator.
- Some users have experienced a higher frequency of errors compared to previous OpenAI products, like ChatGPT.
- The system has also been reported as sluggish compared to expectations set by OpenAI's demonstrations.

IV. Safety and Privacy: How Secure is Operator?
OpenAI has made significant efforts to ensure that Operator is as safe and private as possible, recognising the risks involved in an AI agent that can interact with the web autonomously. While no system is flawless, Operator incorporates a number of safeguards and privacy measures to protect users.
Safeguards
To mitigate potential risks, OpenAI has built in the following safety controls:
- User Confirmation: Operator is trained to ask for user confirmation before finalising sensitive actions, such as sending emails or submitting orders. This allows you to review the agent's work before it takes a permanent action.
- Website Limits: There are limits on the websites Operator can access. Certain categories, such as gambling sites, adult entertainment, and drug or gun retailers are blocked, to ensure that the agent isn't used for harmful purposes.
- Real-Time Moderation: Operator employs real-time moderation and detection systems designed to catch and prevent prompt injections. These systems work to ensure compliance with usage policies and prevent malicious activities.
- Monitoring Systems: An additional monitoring system is in place to pause execution if suspicious activity is detected on the screen. This helps to prevent the agent from taking unintended actions.
Privacy Measures
OpenAI has also implemented a number of privacy controls, giving users control over their data:
- Opt-Out Options: Users have the ability to opt out of having their data used for model training through the ChatGPT settings. This means that data generated within Operator will not be used to improve the models, if this setting is selected.
- Deletion of Browsing Data: Users can delete all browsing data and log out of all sites with one click under the privacy section of Operator settings, allowing them to clear their browsing history. Past conversations in Operator can also be deleted with one click.
- Takeover Mode: When users need to input sensitive information, such as passwords or payment details, "takeover mode" activates. In this mode, Operator stops collecting screenshots, and the user can enter the information themselves.
Remaining Risks
Despite the implemented safeguards, there are still some risks to consider:
- Complexity of Scenarios: The complexity of real-world scenarios and the dynamic nature of adversarial threats mean there may be unforeseen challenges.
- Prompt Injections and Data Exfiltration: There is the possibility of prompt injection attacks, which can cause the agent to take unintended actions. Furthermore, there is the risk of data exfiltration through unauthorised AI actions, or unintended interaction with malicious sites.
- Vulnerabilities: The systems are not perfect, and new threats may emerge over time, which could circumvent existing protection measures.
Privacy Advice
To protect your privacy when using Operator, it is advisable to follow the advice of experts:
- Start a fresh session for each task you outsource to Operator. This is to ensure that it doesn't have access to your credentials for any sites you have used via the tool in the past.
- If you're having it spend money on your behalf, let it get to the checkout, then provide it with your payment details, and wipe the session immediately afterwards.
V. Operator in the Market: Competition and the Future of AI Agents
Operator's arrival on the scene is not happening in a vacuum. It’s entering a rapidly evolving market where other tech giants are also exploring the potential of AI agents. This section will examine Operator's competitive position, its performance, and its potential to shape the future of AI interaction.
Competitive Landscape
Operator is one of a number of AI agents that have been recently launched, and is in direct competition with tools such as:
- Google's Project Mariner, a web-browsing agent built on top of Gemini 2.0, which performs automated tasks through the Chrome browser.
- Anthropic's Computer Use, a web automation tool that can control a user's mouse cursor and take actions on a computer, using a version of Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
- Microsoft and Slack have also launched their own AI agents.
These tools, like Operator, aim to automate tasks and interact with the web, but each has different strengths and weaknesses. Operator stands out because it uses a universal interface of screen, mouse, and keyboard, allowing it to navigate any software designed for humans. It also operates remotely, executing tasks via a browser on OpenAI’s servers.
Benchmark Performance
OpenAI has tested CUA against a number of industry benchmarks, and the results show a competitive performance.

On OSWorld, which tests how well an agent performs tasks such as merging PDF files or manipulating an image, CUA scores 38.1%, compared to Computer Use’s 22.0%, while humans score 72.4%.
On WebVoyager, which tests how well an agent performs tasks in a browser, CUA scores 87%, while Mariner scores 83.5%, and Computer Use 56%.
On WebArena, which uses offline test sites for training autonomous agents, Operator’s success rate is 58.1%. These results demonstrate that while Operator has achieved state-of-the-art performance in some areas, there is still significant room for improvement, particularly when compared to human performance. It also shows that the different models have varying success depending on the specific environment or task being tested.

Future Development
OpenAI has clear plans to broaden Operator's reach and capabilities:
- Expansion to Other Subscription Tiers: Operator will eventually be available to Plus, Team, and Enterprise users, as well as the Pro tier.
- Integration into ChatGPT: The company plans to integrate Operator directly into ChatGPT to provide a more seamless user experience.
- CUA in the API: The model powering Operator, CUA, will be made available in the API , allowing developers to build their own computer-using agents.
Broader Impact
AI agents like Operator have the potential to transform how we interact with technology and the web by moving beyond passive information retrieval to active task management:
- Efficiency: These tools could significantly streamline tasks for users and bring the benefits of agents to companies, creating innovative customer experiences.
- Accessibility: AI agents could improve the accessibility and efficiency of certain workflows, particularly in public sector applications. For example, making it easier to enrol in city services.
- Industry Transformation: AI agents could revolutionise industries like customer service, healthcare, and education.
- Disruption of Existing Services: There is the potential for these types of technologies to disrupt traditional internet services, such as search engines.
AGI Discussion
Operator’s development is aligned with the broader push toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
- AGI can be defined as "powerful AI systems that are able to use a computer just like you or I could".
- The development of AI agents is seen as a significant step towards achieving AGI.
Conclusion
Operator's release signals a potentially transformative moment in our relationship with technology. It's a pioneering step towards a future where AI agents become integral to our daily routines. While still in its early stages, Operator's capabilities hint at a significant shift in how we interact with the digital world.
Key Takeaways:
- Operator is a groundbreaking AI agent that can access and interact with the internet to carry out tasks independently.
- It is powered by the Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, which uses a universal interface of screen, mouse, and keyboard to navigate digital environments without needing specific APIs.
- Operator can automate a range of tasks, including filling out forms, booking reservations, and making purchases, highlighting its capacity to bridge the gap between human intentions and technological execution.
- While it has demonstrated impressive capabilities, it also has limitations, including difficulty with complex interfaces, text editing, and a tendency to make mistakes.
It is important to prepare for a future where AI agents play a significant role in our daily lives. Continued exploration of these technologies is needed to ensure that they are used ethically and responsibly.
Could AI agents like Operator be a major disruption to the traditional internet? The answer to this question will depend on the evolution of this technology in the coming months and years, and will shape our interaction with the digital world.