OpenAI’s autonomous agent tool, Operator, is anticipated to launch as a research preview in January 2024 for ChatGPT Pro subscribers. Initially announced in November 2024, this browser-based tool aims to execute tasks on a computer without human intervention.
Recent discoveries within ChatGPT’s client-side code, verified by TechCrunch, point towards an imminent release. The code references a live URL, operator.chatgpt.com, which currently redirects to the main ChatGPT page. Further code snippets reveal a planned popup within ChatGPT, informing users about Operator’s availability as an early research preview exclusively for Pro users. This aligns with OpenAI’s previously stated intention to offer Operator within the $200 ChatGPT Pro subscription.
According to The Information, Operator’s functionality initiates with a user prompt, after which the agent autonomously completes the assigned task. Potential applications include travel research, activity planning, and productivity tasks within platforms like Asana, LinkedIn, and Salesforce. The report even suggested a possible release before the end of the week the article was published. A public release should provide more details about Operator’s technology and capabilities.
OpenAI’s Operator enters a competitive landscape. Anthropic recently introduced its “Computer Use” API in developer beta, and Google unveiled its experimental AI Agents in December 2024.
