NEW OpenAI Agent: I Tried "Operator," and Here’s What I Learned

2 months ago I shared a video on my YouTube channel called "How to setup Claude AI agents for beginners." As a non-coder it took a couple of hours to figure out. However, when I did the video I shared that by May 2025 the major LLMs would probably have built-in agents.

It's not even February 1 and it has already happened. Yesterday, OpenAI released their new AI agent called "Operator."

• Yes, you have to be on the $200/month pro plan to get access to it
• Yes, there's a lot of room for it to improve
• Yes, it's better than I thought

However, make no mistake that this sets the tone for competitors like Claude to create their own AI agents that users can use without any coding experience or without having to connect with other website API's. Which means that things are about to move even faster.

As someone who loves to test stuff and then bring back how to use tools in a practical way for my audience, I upgraded to OpenAI's $200/month Pro plan to access Operator. Naturally, I started to test it out...

Here’s what I discovered (click the image below to watch the video or read below):

What Is Operator and How Does It Work?

Operator is OpenAI’s latest agent embedded within ChatGPT. Unlike regular AI chatbots, Operator can open its own browser, navigate websites, and complete tasks autonomously with only occasional input from the user. Think of it as having your own digital assistant capable of not just answering questions but acting on them.

In my tests, Operator successfully:

• Found and booked restaurant reservations online (with specific requests for not-so-easy to find cuisine)
• Searched for and shortlisted baby shower gifts based on detailed criteria.
• Looked up and analyzed live video trends for business owners, even working around website access restrictions.

What sets Operator apart is its ability to save tasks as repeatable workflows—like automating your weekly grocery order or running competitive analyses.

What I Learned (and Where It Gets Stuck)

1. It’s surprisingly intuitive

Setting up tasks is straightforward. You type what you need—e.g., “Find a stroller for a baby girl, and add it to the cart”—and it goes to work, even reading reviews and comparing products.

2. Input is still required for sensitive actions

Whenever Operator hits a password-protected site or requires payment, it pauses and asks you to take control. For example, while booking tickets or logging into Notion, I had to step in briefly. This ensures security but adds minor friction.

3. Not all websites are friendly

Certain sites, like YouTube, block Operator from accessing their content. However, it seamlessly integrates with services like OpenTable, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and more. The partnerships are growing, and I expect more sites to join soon.

4. The implications for businesses are HUGE

What struck me most was how Operator evaluates websites. For instance, when searching for restaurants or businesses, it didn’t just rely on keywords. It analyzed reviews, website images, and even the tone of customer feedback. This means businesses will need to optimize not just for humans, but for AI agents prioritizing credibility and user experience.

What To Do Now

Here are some takeaways if you’re considering using—or competing with—AI agents like Operator:

• Start to Market Yourself Now: AI doesn’t just look at keywords; it evaluates site structure, reviews, and content quality. And if you don't exist in specific searches, then you won't be able to be the suggested expert.
• Focus on Efficiency: Operator shines in repetitive tasks like bookings, research, or scheduling. Identify areas where it can save you time.
• Test Before You Scale: Try Operator for personal tasks before integrating it into your business workflow.

And above all else, focus on high-value skills and relationships.

Conclusion

This is a massive point in history. This will force OpenAI's competitors to become more agentic. It will then force them to make their AI agents better. By this time next year, AI agents who complete niche workflows very well will be as common as using ChatGPT is today (at least that's what I think).

Let's Grow Together,

Shanee Moret

PS: Click here to subscribe to my YouTube channel where I will be testing and sharing more videos around AI agents and "Operator."