OpenAI, the AI powerhouse behind ChatGPT, has officially launched ChatGPT Agent, a powerful new feature capable of performing complex tasks autonomously. The new capabilities mark a major leap forward in AI usability and automation.
In simple terms, ChatGPT Agent is an AI-powered assistant that can browse the web, automate workflows, run code, analyze data, create presentations, access apps like Gmail or GitHub, and more, all on its own.
Users don’t need to guide it step by step; once given a task, it intelligently decides how to execute it using the right tools.
The Agent uses a “virtual computer” environment that allows it to carry out sophisticated multi-step tasks, much like a human assistant.
The feature is available for Pro, Plus, and Team plan users of ChatGPT, and it can be activated from the ChatGPT interface by selecting ‘Agent Mode’ in the tools dropdown.
It can be invoked during any conversation and assign it tasks like scheduling, document creation, or technical troubleshooting.
ChatGPT Agent is powered by a new, unnamed model trained specifically for complex, multi-tool interactions.
Unlike previous versions, it can reason through layered instructions and handle real-world applications such as shopping online, summarizing PDFs, building spreadsheets, or managing calendars.
The backbone of the tool is a “unified agentic system”, an advanced setup combining OpenAI’s prior tools like Operator and Deep Research.
It intelligently chooses the best tool for a given task from a suite that includes text-based browser, visual browser, APIs, and terminal access, and pp connectors for Gmail, GitHub, and more.
The launch of ChatGPT Agent places OpenAI in direct competition with other tech giants racing to build autonomous AI agents. In 2023, companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta began rolling out their versions of AI agents, recognizing the growing demand for hands-free automation and intelligent task execution.
Notably, Google recently acquired Windsurf’s CEO and R&D team to speed up its agentic AI initiatives. OpenAI’s move strengthens its position in this increasingly competitive field.
ChatGPT Agent Use Cases
ChatGPT Agent can be used for a wide range of real-world scenarios. Here are some use cases.
- Plan and schedule meetings by scanning your calendar
- Create editable slide decks from prompts
- Summarize lengthy documents or web pages
- Run code and analyze data for research or business
- Automate customer support workflows or content generation
With the launch of ChatGPT Agent, OpenAI is making it easier for users to interact with powerful AI in a natural, goal-oriented way. Rather than being just a chatbot, ChatGPT can now act like a virtual assistant capable of executing entire workflows.
As agentic AI continues to evolve, it may soon become an indispensable tool for professionals and casual users alike.
