OpenAI launches Personal Assistant that can control files and web browsers

Excerpts from The Guardian

AI agent can find restaurant reservations and go shopping for users, but OpenAI acknowledges there are ‘more risks’

ChatGPT’s users can now ask their AI agent to make restaurant reservations for them, do shopping for them, or even create lists of potential candidates for job openings.

The US-based company stated that the ChatGPT agent launched by Open AI in all countries except the EU not only “thinks”, but also takes action. The agent uses AI research tools to be able to take over web browsers as well as computer files, software and spreadsheets.

This follows similar “agents”, launched by Google, and Anthropic. Interest in AI models is growing as they are able to handle computer-based task by determining which software will be best used and switching between systems.

“The hope is that agents are able to bring some real utility to users – to actually do things for them rather than just outputting polished text and sounding impressive,” said Niamh Burns, senior media analyst at Enders Analysis.

Open AI acknowledged, however, that even allowing a limited AI agent to control computer systems increased the risks.

While it is intended to help people with everyday tasks, its potential power means OpenAI has felt the need to introduce safeguards to ensure no agents enable the creation of biological hazards.

“While we do not have conclusive evidence that this model could help a novice to create severe biological damage,” the company stated, “we are exercising precaution and implementing necessary safeguards now.”