OpenAI has introduced a new tool on its ChatGPT platform to offer more support to users, such as doing the heavy lifting for wedding planning or online shopping.
The feature, ChatGPT agent, is capable of "handling complex tasks from start to finish", San Francisco-based OpenAI said on Thursday. In other words, it can process long, detailed queries and return results in the same manner – and then some.
The new tool has accelerated the generative artificial intelligence race. It is the latest of OpenAI's tools as the company seeks to and assert its dominance in the crowded field, distinguishing itself from major companies such as Microsoft, Google, Anthropic and Elon Musk's Grok, as well as upstarts including DeepSeek and Qwen.
What can ChatGPT agent do?
In a detailed video, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and his team flaunted ChatGPT agent's capabilities, with Mr Altman pointing out that "people wanted a unified agent that could go off" on its own.
ChatGPT agent, according to OpenAI, can handle even the most complex, long and detailed tasks. As an example, Mr Altman's team asked ChatGPT to plan a wedding, complete with suggestions for five outfits that matched the theme, gifts under $500 and hotel options on Booking.com.
After seven seconds, ChatGPT agent replied that it was looking into it, in addition to more queries. In this case, it wanted to know the exact date of the wedding, which was not mentioned earlier.
It resulted in detailed suggestions and options in response to the request. While this is not surprising, the highlight is that it did not miss a beat and answered everything in the query.
How does it work?
ChatGPT agent uses its "own computer", a suite of tools that includes a visual browser that interacts with the internet through a graphical-user interface, a text-based browser for simpler reasoning-based web queries, a terminal and direct API access.
It is also capable of connecting to apps including Gmail and developer platform Github, so ChatGPT can find information that is relevant to queries and use them in responses, OpenAI said.
In addition, users can take over the visual browser by logging in on a website, giving them full control and having ChatGPT go deeper in its "research and task execution".
"Giving ChatGPT these different avenues for accessing and interacting with web information means it can choose the optimal path to most efficiently perform tasks," OpenAI added.
Is ChatGPT agent free?
Users can activate ChatGPT agent by clicking on the tools button under ChatGPT's prompt line and selecting "agent". However, you can only use it if you are subscribed to ChatGPT's paid tiers – Pro, Plus or Team, which cost $20, $200, and $25 or $30 a month, respectively.
This was to be expected, because advanced tools normally are not available for free.
The introduction of ChatGPT agent began on Thursday, with Pro users getting first the crack at it. The Plus and Team tiers will gain access to it "over the next few days", while Enterprise and Education users will have to wait. However, it still will not be available for the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Not risk-free
This is the first time users can ask ChatGPT to take action on the internet and doing so introduces new risks, "particularly because ChatGPT agent can work directly with your data, whether it’s information accessed through connectors or websites that you have logged it into via takeover mode", OpenAI said.
"ChatGPT agent’s expanded tools and broader user reach mean its overall risk profile is higher," it added.
A key safeguard in ChatGPT agent is that it limits access to certain tasks, from personal actions such as sending emails, which require user oversight, to more sensitive, "high-risk tasks" including bank transfers, which ChatGPT agent would refuse to do.
In any case, such tasks potentially or do involve personal and confidential user data that, in theory, could be misused. "Overall, we expect continued improvements to ChatGPT agent’s efficiency, depth and versatility over time, including more seamless interactions as we continue to adjust the amount of oversight required from the user to make it more useful while ensuring it’s safe to use," OpenAI said.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include:
- Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
- Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
- Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
'Midnights'
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Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Jetour T1 specs
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Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
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Florida: The critical Sunshine State
Though mostly conservative, Florida is usually always “close” in presidential elections. In most elections, the candidate that wins the Sunshine State almost always wins the election, as evidenced in 2016 when Trump took Florida, a state which has not had a democratic governor since 1991.
Joe Biden’s campaign has spent $100 million there to turn things around, understandable given the state’s crucial 29 electoral votes.
In 2016, Mr Trump’s democratic rival Hillary Clinton paid frequent visits to Florida though analysts concluded that she failed to appeal towards middle-class voters, whom Barack Obama won over in the previous election.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Manchester United's summer dealings
In
Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7 million
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) £75 million
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) £40 million
Out
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Released
Wayne Rooney (Everton) Free transfer
Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad) £9.8 million
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The five pillars of Islam