OpenAI on Thursday launched a new artificial intelligence agent for ChatGPT, advancing the capabilities of its popular chatbot with features that allow it to autonomously complete complex tasks across the web and connected applications. The move marks a significant step in the AI race, as Microsoft-backed OpenAI aims to stay ahead in the intensifying competition around autonomous AI agents.
The newly introduced AI agent combines the strengths of OpenAI’s previous experimental features — such as “operator,” which enables website interaction, and “deep research,” which handles multi-step research tasks.
The enhanced agent, now available for ChatGPT’s Pro, Plus, and Team subscribers, can execute real-world tasks like ordering a wedding outfit tailored to dress code and weather conditions. It achieves this by leveraging a virtual computer environment with tools to browse the web, process emails via Gmail, analyze code on GitHub, and more.
ChatGPT agent starts rolling out today to Pro, Plus, and Team; Pro will get access by the end of day, while Plus and Team users will get access over the next few days. Enterprise and Education users will get access in the coming weeks. Pro users have 400 messages per month, while other paid users get 40 messages monthly, with additional usage available via flexible credit-based options.
This launch comes amid a broader industry shift towards “agentic” AI — systems that go beyond traditional virtual assistants by reasoning, planning, and executing actions with minimal human input.
Rival Initiatives Accelerating
Microsoft, OpenAI’s biggest backer, has been deeply invested in agentic AI through its integration of Copilot across Windows and Microsoft 365, enabling autonomous task execution in business workflows and personal computing. The tech giant is also embedding agentic capabilities into its Azure AI platform to assist developers and enterprises in automating operations.
Google DeepMind is working on its own agentic system known as AlphaCode 2, intended for autonomous software development. Google is also experimenting with Project Astra, an initiative to create multimodal AI agents capable of memory, reasoning, and real-time perception across devices.
Anthropic, backed by Amazon and Google, is pushing its Claude AI assistant towards agentic behavior with features designed to handle open-ended reasoning and task completion in business contexts.
Meta is focusing on AI agents for personal use via its Meta AI integrated into platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger, while also developing open-source agentic models that developers can fine-tune for custom applications.
Salesforce has introduced Einstein Copilot, an agent-like system embedded across its CRM tools, capable of autonomous decision-making in sales, marketing, and service functions.
Oracle, too, is deploying agentic AI within its Fusion Cloud applications, promising improved automation in finance, HR, and supply chain management.
As these tech giants pour billions into the development of AI agents, the launch of ChatGPT’s new capabilities underlines OpenAI’s intent to set the pace in a market that could redefine how consumers and enterprises interact with AI systems.
With agentic AI becoming a battleground for innovation and enterprise value, OpenAI’s latest launch signals a shift from chat-based interactions to proactive, goal-oriented digital workers — potentially ushering in a new era of autonomous productivity.
Rajani Baburajan
