OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Agent, a new AI-powered assistant now available to ChatGPT Pro, Plus, and Team users. Designed to handle multi-step, personalized tasks across online services, the feature expands ChatGPT’s role from conversational chatbot to hands-on virtual assistant.
ChatGPT Agent leverages OpenAI’s latest o3 model, known for its improved reasoning capabilities, and is supported by a new system dubbed “Operator,” which allows it to perform tasks that go beyond simple queries. Unlike standard AI interactions, ChatGPT Agent can plan and execute tasks that require browsing, data extraction, cross-referencing, and context-sensitive decision-making.
During a live demonstration, OpenAI showed how the assistant could coordinate travel plans for a wedding. After identifying the event date from a website, the agent browsed nearby hotels, checked the weather, explored clothing options on Nordstrom’s site, and generated a summary report. The assistant even responded to user prompts mid-task—such as searching for black dress shoes—without needing to restart the process.
Crucially, ChatGPT Agent integrates with user services like email, calendars, and apps. It operates within a virtual desktop interface where users can observe its step-by-step workflow, including which sites it accesses and how it handles tasks. Despite its increasing autonomy, the assistant is designed with clear safety limits: it requires user permission before performing sensitive actions like making purchases or submitting forms, and it won’t engage in high-risk activities, such as financial transactions or legal work. The system is also programmed to reject requests that are illegal or harmful.
The introduction of ChatGPT Agent reflects a broader shift toward agentic AI—systems capable of executing complex, goal-oriented tasks across digital platforms with minimal supervision. While current models still lack true understanding or consciousness, the ability to emulate multi-layered reasoning marks a significant technical evolution. In theory, these agent-like systems could automate a wide range of tasks traditionally handled by humans, with potential implications across industries.
OpenAI hasn’t shared a timeline for broader availability or support for enterprise environments, but its rollout to Pro, Plus, and Team users positions the ChatGPT Agent as a new standard in AI productivity tools. As automation continues to integrate into daily workflows, the utility and limitations of agentic AI will become clearer—especially as questions around ethics, reliability, and labor impact continue to evolve.
