OpenAI is making significant strides in AI-powered automation with the global rollout of Operator, its cutting-edge AI agent. Initially launched in the United States in January, Operator is now available for ChatGPT Pro subscribers in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and more. This marks a major expansion of OpenAI’s efforts to integrate AI into everyday tasks, giving users an advanced virtual assistant capable of handling complex actions on their behalf.
What Is Operator?
Operator is one of OpenAI’s most advanced AI agents, designed to perform a wide range of tasks that extend beyond simple chatbot interactions. This tool can help users book tickets, make restaurant reservations, file expense reports, and even shop on e-commerce websites—all with minimal user input. By acting as a digital assistant, Operator significantly enhances productivity and convenience for those who rely on AI-driven automation.
Unlike traditional chat-based AI assistants, Operator works through a dedicated webpage and operates in a separate browser window. Users have the ability to take control at any time, ensuring transparency and security while the AI agent carries out tasks. While currently restricted to ChatGPT Pro subscribers paying $200 per month, OpenAI has hinted at broader availability in the future, potentially integrating Operator across all ChatGPT clients.
Where Is Operator Available?
With this latest expansion, Operator is now accessible in most regions where ChatGPT is available, with some exceptions. Notably, OpenAI has excluded the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland from this rollout. While the company has not provided a detailed explanation for these exclusions, regulatory and data privacy concerns could be key factors.
How Operator Stacks Up Against Competitors
The AI agent space is becoming increasingly competitive, with major tech companies racing to develop similar tools. OpenAI’s Operator faces competition from Google, Anthropic, and Rabbit, each offering their own take on AI-driven task automation:
- Google is developing its own AI agent but currently has it on a waitlist, indicating that it is still in the testing and refinement phase.
- Anthropic provides access to its agentic AI through an API, making it more suitable for developers and enterprise-level integrations rather than individual users.
- Rabbit has introduced an action model that allows users to automate tasks, but it is limited to those who own its proprietary hardware device.
Among these players, OpenAI’s Operator stands out by being one of the few fully functional AI agents accessible to individual users, albeit with a premium subscription requirement.
The Future of AI Agents: What’s Next for Operator?
OpenAI has ambitious plans for Operator, with future updates likely to include deeper integration across ChatGPT platforms, improved task execution capabilities, and possibly a broader rollout to more users at different subscription levels. Given the rapid evolution of AI agents, the company may also introduce enhanced functionalities such as voice command support, real-time collaboration with human assistants, and expanded third-party integrations.
As AI-powered assistants become more advanced and widely adopted, Operator’s expansion signals a shift toward a future where intelligent agents handle increasingly complex tasks. While competition remains fierce, OpenAI’s early mover advantage and commitment to refining Operator could make it a leading choice for users seeking seamless AI-driven automation.
For now, ChatGPT Pro users in supported regions can experience firsthand how Operator transforms everyday digital tasks, bringing us one step closer to a world where AI handles the mundane—so we can focus on what truly matters.
