OpenAI is set to launch a new AI agent, codenamed “Operator,” which will allow users to delegate tasks directly to the system.
Designed to handle functions such as writing code and booking travel on a user’s behalf, “Operator” is expected to become available as a research preview in January, according to Bloomberg. Additionally, developers will be able to access the tool via OpenAI’s application programming interface (API).
Details of the Launch and Features
In a recent staff meeting, OpenAI’s leadership confirmed plans to release this AI agent as part of ongoing research. According to Bloomberg, the tool is nearly complete and will be capable of performing tasks directly within a web browser.
This development marks a significant step in OpenAI’s progression toward agent-driven AI solutions. The company has been advancing multiple agent-related projects, with “Operator” as the most developed of these initiatives.
A Shift Toward Agent Technology
OpenAI’s focus on AI agents arrives at a time when the company, alongside competitors, faces diminishing returns from efforts to refine traditional AI models.
During a Reddit AMA, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman indicated this shift, stating,
We will have better and better models, but I think the thing that will feel like the next giant breakthrough will be agents.
This transition aligns with a broader industry trend toward agent-driven AI that can complete multi-step tasks with minimal user oversight. Competitors like Anthropic, Microsoft, and Google are also exploring this technology.
Anthropic has already launched an agent capable of interacting with users’ computers in real time, while Microsoft—an OpenAI backer—recently introduced tools enabling AI to manage records and send emails. Google, too, is set to launch its own AI agent, “Project Jarvis,” aimed at assisting users with a range of browser-based tasks.
Looking Ahead
As more tech giants enter the AI agent space, this technology will likely reshape user interaction with AI. OpenAI’s “Operator” and similar tools from competitors signal a new era for AI-driven productivity and task management.