ChatGPT Just Leveled Up: Check Out How

Starting Thursday, ChatGPT users, except those in the EU, can assign the AI tasks like booking restaurant reservations, shopping online, or even creating lists of job candidates, thanks to OpenAI’s rollout of a powerful new personal assistant feature known as the ChatGPT agent.

Online media reports reveal that unlike previous iterations of the chatbot, which primarily responded with text, the new ChatGPT agent not only processes information but also takes action.

It can interact with web browsers, manage computer files, and work within applications such as spreadsheets and presentation software.

This marks a significant evolution in how AI can assist with daily tasks.

The move places OpenAI alongside tech giants like Google and Anthropic, who have also begun introducing AI “agents” capable of autonomously completing multi-step assignments.

These systems assess which software tools are best for a given job, then toggle between them to handle complex tasks, like building travel itineraries, conducting online research, or managing schedules.

“The hope is that agents can offer genuine utility to users, not just sound smart, but actually get things done,” said Niamh Burns, senior media analyst at Enders Analysis.

However, OpenAI has acknowledged the increased risks that come with giving an AI access to more parts of a user’s digital environment.

The expanded functionality makes it more capable, but also potentially more dangerous.

Because of this, OpenAI has built in multiple safety layers, particularly to avoid scenarios in which the AI could be misused, including any attempts to assist in creating biological hazards.

While the company has no evidence that the new model could be used to create significant biological harm, it emphasized a precautionary approach.

“We are exercising caution and implementing the needed safeguards now,” OpenAI stated.

Among those safeguards is a system that ensures users retain control over the AI’s actions.

Before taking any significant or irreversible steps, the ChatGPT agent must ask for user approval.

According to OpenAI’s blog post, users can pause, interrupt, or take over tasks at any time.

There is also growing speculation that OpenAI may look to monetize the agent’s capabilities, particularly if it guides users toward making purchases.

CEO Sam Altman has previously floated the idea of charging a small fee, such as 2%, on transactions completed via ChatGPT’s “deep research” features.

Analyst Niamh Burns raised concerns about potential commercial bias.

“Will the AI recommend products neutrally, or will we see cases where brands pay for visibility?

“There’s pressure on these companies to monetize, so sponsored placements feel inevitable,” she said.

OpenAI, however, has stated that the agent currently does not feature paid product promotions, and there are no immediate plans to introduce them.

A recent demo of the system showcased the assistant navigating a user’s Google Calendar to find an available weekday evening slot between 6 and 9 p.m., then searching for restaurants, Italian, sushi, or Korean, with ratings above 4.3 stars.

Within about 10 to 15 minutes, it returned a list of suitable dining options.

Much like a human assistant, the agent can be redirected mid-task and will prompt the user for clarification if needed.

Still, security remains a top priority. One risk is that the agent might encounter malicious prompts embedded on websites, possibly leading to unauthorized data sharing or unintended actions.

OpenAI said it has trained the system to detect and reject suspicious requests, including those involving financial transactions.

Initially, access to the ChatGPT agent will be limited to paying subscribers of the “Pro,” “Plus,” and “Team” plans.

OpenAI has not yet specified when, or if, the feature will expand to general users or to markets in the European Union.

The debut of the ChatGPT agent signals a major leap toward AI systems that don’t just respond, but act, opening up a new chapter in everyday digital assistance, while also posing fresh questions about safety, transparency, and monetization.