OpenAI Agents: What They Can Do Now!

OpenAI has taken AI to the next level with its agents, Operator and Deep Research, launched in early 2025.

These tools go beyond simple chatbots, performing tasks autonomously to save time and effort.

They’re making waves in web automation and research, though they’re still in early stages with some limits. This article breaks down what these OpenAI agents can do, how they work, and what users can expect.

What Are OpenAI Agents?

OpenAI agents are AI systems designed to act on their own.

Unlike ChatGPT, which just answers questions, these agents can complete tasks like booking a flight or writing a research report. Operator handles web-based jobs, while Deep Research tackles complex analysis.

Both are part of OpenAI’s push into “agentic AI,” where machines take initiative, not just respond.

Launched in January and February 2025, they’re available to ChatGPT Pro users for $200/month, with plans to expand access.

Operator: Your Web Task Assistant

Operator is OpenAI’s first agent for web automation.

Built on the Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, based on GPT-4o, it mimics human actions like clicking and typing on websites.

Here’s what it can do:

• Booking and Reservations: Need concert tickets or a dinner spot? Operator can navigate sites like StubHub or OpenTable to book them. It’s also handy for travel, securing flights or hotel rooms.
• Online Shopping: It can order groceries on Instacart or shop on Amazon, adding items to your cart and checking out. During tests, it even processed handwritten grocery lists, as reported by The New York Times.
• Form Filling: Operator fills out online forms, such as registration or purchase details, by interacting with buttons and text fields.

It’s practical for daily tasks, but it’s not perfect. Operator has rate limits—daily and per-task—and can get stuck on tricky sites or CAPTCHAs.

It also refuses some actions, like sending emails, for security reasons.

Deep Research: A Brain for Complex Tasks

Deep Research, launched in February 2025, is OpenAI’s answer to heavy-duty research. Powered by a version of the o3 model, it’s built for reasoning and analysis. Here’s what it offers:

• Data Collection: It scours the web, pulling info from multiple sources. For example, it can gather data on market trends from financial reports or reviews.
• Report Writing: Deep Research turns raw info into detailed reports—up to 16,000 words, says Every.to. It’s been used for tasks like wardrobe suggestions from images or business histories.
• Professional Use: Aimed at fields like finance, science, and law, it can summarize legal cases or review scientific papers, cutting hours of work.

It’s a time-saver, taking 1 to 30 minutes per task, and beats older models like GPT-4o on tough benchmarks.

But it’s not flawless—it can invent facts (hallucinate) and struggles to spot reliable sources. Users get 100 queries monthly with ChatGPT Pro, with wider access coming later.

How They Compare

Operator and Deep Research serve different needs.

Operator is for quick, practical web tasks—think booking or shopping. Deep Research is for brainy, long-form work like research papers.

Both are early tools, so errors happen. Operator might stall on complex pages, while Deep Research needs fact-checking. Here’s a breakdown:

Real-World Use and Feedback

Users say Operator cuts time on routine jobs, like ordering groceries, but needs help with tricky sites.

Deep Research delivers solid reports—think market analysis or case studies—but its mistakes mean you can’t fully trust it yet.

Both tools show promise, especially as OpenAI refines them based on feedback.

Limits to Know

Both agents have hiccups. Operator’s daily limits and refusals—like not deleting calendar events—can frustrate users. Deep Research’s 100-query cap and occasional fake facts are hurdles too.

They’re powerful but need human oversight.

Access is another catch—only Pro users in certain areas can try them now, though OpenAI aims to scale up.

Why It Matters

These agents show where AI is heading: less talk, more action.

Operator saves you from web chores, while Deep Research tackles big projects.

They’re not perfect—errors and limits keep them grounded—but they’re a step toward AI that works for you, not just with you.

For professionals or busy people, they’re worth watching as OpenAI irons out the kinks.

Conclusion

OpenAI’s Operator and Deep Research are game-changers in the making.

Operator automates web tasks like booking and shopping, while Deep Research digs into complex research, spitting out detailed reports.

They’re early tools with flaws—Operator’s hiccups on tough sites, Deep Research’s shaky facts—but their potential is clear.

Limited to ChatGPT Pro for now, they’re set to grow, shaping how we use AI in daily life and work. Keep an eye on them.