OpenAI has expanded the availability of Operator, its AI-powered agent designed to assist users with digital tasks, to several countries.
Which includes Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the U.K. Initially launched in January in the U.S., Operator allows users to book tickets, make restaurant reservations, file expense reports, and shop online.
Global Availability and Regional Restrictions
OpenAI has confirmed that Operator will now be accessible in most regions where ChatGPT is available.
However, it will not be rolled out in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.
While OpenAI has not provided specific reasons for these exclusions, regulatory considerations may play a role, particularly given the evolving AI policies in the EU.
Subscription and Access Details
Operator is currently available only to subscribers of the ChatGPT Pro plan, priced at $200 per month. Unlike standard ChatGPT access, Operator is not yet integrated into the main ChatGPT interface and requires a separate webpage to function.
OpenAI has indicated plans to expand its availability across all ChatGPT clients in the future. The tool runs in a separate browser window, allowing users to supervise its activity and intervene when necessary.
Competitive Landscape
The AI agent market is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies like Google, Anthropic, and Rabbit developing similar tools.
Google’s AI agent remains in a waitlist phase, Anthropic provides agentic capabilities through an API, and Rabbit’s AI model is currently tied to its proprietary device.
OpenAI’s Operator distinguishes itself through its direct integration with ChatGPT and its wider availability compared to some competitors.
Early Development Insights
Hints about Operator’s development surfaced when software engineer and AI analyst Tibor Blaho identified hidden references to it in OpenAI’s macOS ChatGPT client.
Mentions of features such as “Toggle Operator” and “Force Quit Operator” suggested OpenAI had been actively working on an AI agent before its official launch.
Additionally, OpenAI’s website contained internal comparisons between Operator and competing AI models like Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Mariner, offering insights into its potential capabilities.
Performance Benchmarks and Challenges
Operator’s early benchmark results provide a mixed view of its effectiveness:
- OSWorld Benchmark: Operator scored 38.1%, surpassing Anthropic’s Claude AI but trailing human performance at 72.4%.
- WebVoyager: Demonstrated strong performance in website navigation and interaction, occasionally exceeding human efficiency.
- WebArena: Struggled with certain web-based tasks, indicating areas for improvement.
Its task completion rates highlight both strengths and limitations:
✔ 60% success rate for structured tasks like signing up for cloud services and launching virtual machines.
❌ 10% success rate for complex tasks such as creating Bitcoin wallets, suggesting challenges with intricate workflows.
Safety and Ethical Considerations
OpenAI has emphasized safety as a priority in Operator’s development, incorporating measures to prevent misuse. Internal testing indicates that the tool actively avoids illicit activities and does not extract sensitive data.
Compared to some competitors, OpenAI has adopted a cautious approach, with Co-founder Wojciech Zaremba acknowledging the risks of premature AI releases.
AI Agents in Workplace Automation
The rise of AI agents like Operator could significantly impact business workflows by automating repetitive digital tasks. Potential applications include:
- Enterprise Solutions: Assisting with financial reconciliation, IT ticket resolution, and customer service automation.
- Retail Operations: Managing inventory and automating supply reordering in real time.
- Enterprise AI Assistants: Microsoft Dynamics 365 already integrates AI-driven tools to optimize sales and customer engagement.
Future of AI Agent Marketplaces
As AI-driven agents continue to evolve, a marketplace for customizable AI assistants may emerge, similar to mobile app stores.
Businesses could deploy pre-built AI agents or develop specialized solutions for industry-specific needs.
Microsoft is already integrating AI agents into platforms like Teams, SharePoint, and Azure AI Agent Service, suggesting a broader shift toward AI-powered business automation.
If OpenAI successfully refines Operator’s functionality and expands its accessibility, the tool could become a widely used AI agent for handling digital interactions.
While competition remains strong, OpenAI’s focus on integration, usability, and safety may position Operator as a leading AI agent in the market.
