OpenAI Introduces Operator Tool to Automate Web Tasks as AI Agents Take the Spotlight
OpenAI, a leading player in generative artificial intelligence, has unveiled a new tool named Operator, designed to perform web tasks on behalf of users. This move comes as the company aims to enhance its chatbot amidst growing competition in the AI landscape. Operator is equipped with a model that enables it to interact with on-screen elements like buttons, menus, and text fields, showcasing a significant advancement in AI capabilities.
According to a blog post by OpenAI, the introduction of Operator signifies a pivotal moment in AI development, empowering models to utilise familiar tools that humans use daily and paving the way for a wide array of innovative applications. The tool is capable of executing various tasks such as creating to-do lists and assisting with vacation planning. It also seeks user input upon task completion and requests confirmation for specific actions like entering login credentials on websites.
Currently, Operator is accessible to Pro users in the United States as part of a research preview, as announced by the Microsoft-backed startup. The rise of AI agents, which are autonomous systems capable of performing tasks like making purchases and scheduling meetings without direct human involvement, has become a focal point for many companies' AI strategies.
In a parallel development, OpenAI's competitor Perplexity recently launched an agent-based assistant for Android devices. This assistant boasts functionalities such as booking dinner reservations, requesting rides through apps, and setting reminders, showcasing the increasing prevalence of AI agents in everyday tasks.
Apple, in collaboration with OpenAI, integrated Apple Intelligence into its voice assistant, Siri, and introduced the use of ChatGPT with user consent. The incorporation of step-by-step reasoning approaches, like those employed in OpenAI's o1 model, has made previously challenging tasks achievable, as highlighted by business executives in discussions with Reuters.
OpenAI introduces Operator tool for web task automation
Operator powered by model enabling interaction with on-screen elements
AI agents gaining prominence in executing tasks autonomously
Source: REUTERS