New ChatGPT Agent Can Perform Complex Tasks On its Own

OpenAI has just launched a new ChatGPT agent that can perform complex tasks such as planning trips, generating slideshows and spreadsheets, running code, and more on its own. This general-purpose AI agent leverages existing features such as the Operator agent and ChatGPT deep research, and it’s directly integrated into the chatbot.

This new ChatGPT agent is now available for Pro, Plus, and Team users who can activate it by selecting ‘agent mode’ from the composer. The AI agent will perform tasks in a virtual machine where it can browse the web and connect to third-party services like Gmail using ChatGPT connectors.

“ChatGPT carries out these tasks using its own virtual computer, fluidly shifting between reasoning and action to handle complex workflows from start to finish, all based on your instructions. Most importantly, you’re always in control. ChatGPT requests permission before taking actions of consequence, and you can easily interrupt, take over the browser, or stop tasks at any point”, OpenAI explained.

OpenAI believes that this new ChatGPT agent can be used at work to automate repetitive tasks, but it also has a lot of personal use cases, such as vacation planning, scheduling appointments, and more. Tasks can also be interrupted mid-course to ask for a progress summary or tweak them with new instructions.

ChatGPT agent is currently in beta, and OpenAI acknowledged that “outputs can sometimes feel rudimentary in its formatting and polish.” Because these new agentic capabilities expose users to new risks, OpenAI also implemented new safeguards. As an example, ChatGPT is trained to explicitly ask for users’ permission before making a purchase or carrying out actions with real-world consequences.

At launch, ChatGPT Pro users will be able to use 400 messages per month in this new agent mode, while other paid users are getting 40 messages monthly. Subscribers who need additional messages will have credit-based options to raise usage limits.  Enterprise and Education users will also get access to this new ChatGPT agent in the coming weeks.