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\n OpenAI on Thursday announced a new feature for ChatGPT that allows the popular chatbot to execute actions on a user\u2019s behalf. It\u2019s part of an industry-wide push to change the way people get things done on the Internet: Tech giants hope that instead of bouncing between apps and manually searching the web, users might be able to one day rely on agents to do it all.\n <\/p>\n
\n ChatGPT\u2019s new agent mode, which begins rolling out immediately, is another sign that tech giants are doubling down on digital helpers that demonstrate significantly advanced capabilities. It also heightens the race between OpenAI and Google, which is pursuing similar ambitions with its Gemini helper.\n <\/p>\n
\n OpenAI said<\/a> on Thursday that ChatGPT\u2019s new agent mode \u201cthinks\u201d and \u201cacts\u201d using its own virtual computer, enabling it to handle complex action-oriented requests. For example, users will be able to issue command such as \u201clook at my calendar and brief me on upcoming client meetings based on recent news\u201d or \u201cplan and buy ingredients to make Japanese breakfast for four,\u201d the company said in a blog post<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n In a video demonstration, OpenAI employees wrote a long and detailed prompt asking the agent to help the user prepare for a wedding. It included a set of specific instructions such as \u201cfind an outfit that matches the dress code,\u201d adding that it should propose five options, along with hotels that can accommodate a couple of buffer days around the event.\n <\/p>\n \n The new feature is available for those who subscribe to a Pro, Plus or Team plan. It builds on and combines capabilities from the ChatGPT Operator and Deep Research tools OpenAI already offers; Operator browses the web, while Deep Research analyzes online resources to do things like compile reports.\n <\/p>\n \n The update is another step in OpenAI\u2019s efforts to turn ChatGPT in a more comprehensive universal assistant. At the same time, the broader AI industry is also grappling with how to address important shortcomings and privacy concerns around the technology. AI models are still prone to hallucinations and bias and can act in unpredictable ways, as xAI\u2019s Grok chatbot demonstrated last week when it spewed antisemitic content<\/a> after being prompted to do so.\n <\/p>\n \n In a blog post, OpenAI acknowledged that ChatGPT\u2019s new functionality presents new risks. It said it has limited the data the model has access to, and certain tasks \u2013 like sending an email \u2013 require the user\u2019s oversight. The model is also trained to refuse \u201chigh-risk tasks\u201d like bank transfers, the company says.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cI would explain this to my own family as cutting edge and experimental; a chance to try the future, but not something I\u2019d yet use for high-stakes uses or with a lot of personal information until we have a chance to study and improve it in the wild,\u201d OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a post on X announcing the agent.<\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n He advised users to be cautious when giving ChatGPT access to personal information. For example, granting access to a calendar to coordinate a group dinner might make sense, but the agent wouldn\u2019t need calendar access to shop for clothes on a user\u2019s behalf.\n <\/p>\n