Worth the Price? OpenAI’s Latest $200/Month AI Assistant Can Book Flights and Order Food

AI Handles Real-World Tasks with OpenAI's Operator

Imagine asking an AI to handle your online errands—from booking flights to ordering groceries—and watching as it performs these tasks with precision.

OpenAI’s new feature, Operator, promises exactly this.

By taking control of a virtual browser, Operator aims to simplify digital chores through real-time actions.

However, its hefty price tag and exclusivity have sparked debates on accessibility and fairness.

This latest addition, announced this morning, is exclusively available to Pro subscribers in the United States, costing $200 per month.

The launch represents OpenAI’s first step into autonomous web browsing, offering users an innovative way to manage daily online activities.

How Operator Works Behind the Scenes

Unlike earlier tools reliant on APIs, Operator employs a cloud-based browser that mimics human actions.

It navigates websites by clicking buttons, filling forms, and interpreting website layouts.

Each action is documented with a screenshot, keeping users informed of its progress.

For instance, when booking event tickets, Operator searches for options, selects the best deals, and requests user confirmation before finalising payments.

In scenarios where issues arise, users can manually intervene using the “Take Control” option.

At the heart of Operator’s functionality is a new AI model, the Computer User Agent (CUA).

This model enables the system to handle unexpected website changes, pop-ups, and error messages with minimal disruptions.

This adaptability sets Operator apart, allowing it to function even on unsupported platforms.

Real-World Capabilities With Visual Feedback

Operator can tackle diverse tasks, such as interpreting handwritten shopping lists using GPT-Vision and ordering groceries from a preferred store.

Pre-configured partnerships with platforms like Uber and DoorDash ensure smoother navigation for ride bookings or food deliveries.

For websites not explicitly supported, Operator still attempts to execute tasks via its browser control capabilities.

This flexibility gives it an edge over competitors, making it a versatile solution for everyday online chores.

Impressive Benchmarks Outperforming Rivals

In tests, Operator demonstrated superior performance compared to similar tools.

It achieved a 38.1% proficiency score on OSWorld, a benchmark for handling standard operating systems, surpassing the closest competitor's 22%.

On WebArena, which evaluates e-commerce navigation, Operator scored 58.1%, outperforming competitors at 36.2%.

OpenAI highlighted these results to showcase Operator’s effectiveness and reliability in real-world applications.

However, they caution that the feature remains in a research preview phase, and occasional errors or bugs are expected.

Exclusive and Expensive for Now

Currently, Operator is limited to Pro users, creating a distinct financial barrier.

This exclusivity has raised concerns about the emergence of a tiered system, where only wealthier users can access the best AI capabilities.

OpenAI plans to expand the rollout to Plus subscribers soon, with further availability through its API, which could spark new automation tools for developers.

Privacy Concerns and Trust Issues

One notable downside is Operator’s reliance on user credentials to complete tasks.

As it operates through a cloud browser, users must log in remotely, placing significant trust in OpenAI’s assurances that sensitive data won’t be stored.

For privacy-conscious individuals, this dependency on OpenAI’s servers could be a deal-breaker.

How Operator handles risks

Is OpenAI’s Operator Upgrade Worth the $200 Price Tag?

Beyond its new web browsing control, OpenAI is expanding its AI agents to further enhance the capabilities of its current assistant.

These additional agents are set to complement Operator, but specific functions have yet to be disclosed.

For now, Operator represents a significant step forward in AI-driven automation, streamlining everyday tasks like booking flights and ordering food.

However, is this new upgrade truly worth the hefty $200 monthly fee?

While Operator offers convenience, it also takes away the experience of managing these tasks manually, and still requires oversight to ensure everything goes smoothly.

This reliance on human supervision might make the system less appealing for those seeking a fully autonomous solution.

As OpenAI continues to explore new ways to expand its offerings, the value of this update remains debatable.