What computer-using agents are (and why I think you shouldn't bother building automations right now)
Today I want to tell you about computer-using agents.
AI agents in general—is the idea that AI doesn't only talk to me about things but actually does things for me and this can happen by giving AI that we're using, like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, access to different apps. Imagine that ChatGPT can read and send emails, book events online or monitor and update documents.
Computer-using agents are agents that have access to a computer, or a browser, and we can just say to the AI: "Just go and click around and do things for me."
Let me show you three of the most exciting examples out there today:
Operator by OpenAI
Operator, the company behind ChatGPT, recently launched Operator.
In their demo video, they asked it:
“Find and book me the highest rated one-day tour of Rome on TripAdvisor.”
So, we're literally getting it to find and to book.
In another video they sent it to find a good recipe for linguini and add all the ingredients to our online shopping cart.
Claude from Anthropic
Claude is known for its writing capabilities, but they, too, demoed some serious automation power too:
Searching a spreadsheet for supplier details.
If the info is missing, logging into an internal company app and filling out an online form with the correct data.
Repeating this process across multiple suppliers.
It’s like having a diligent admin assistant—powered by AI.
Manus
Manus is the latest and greatest coming out of China.
They are showing a lot of different use cases in their launch page:
Trip to Japan in April – finding and booking a trip.
Analysing stocks
Creating an interactive course on Momentum Theorem – it develops a video for middle school educators clearly explaining the Momentum Theorem through accessible and educational content.
It literally builds things for us.
What does this mean for us?
First, they’re not quite here just yet.
Operator from OpenAI is available on the Pro Edition which is $200 USD a month—so not widely available to all of us.
And those who are using all of these computer using agents, are reporting that they are a bit premature still—they make mistakes, are slow, and they get stuck.
But they will mature quickly.
What we need to do right now?
What you need to do now is develop our AI skills.
Don't worry about finding the biggest and best automation.
Don't worry about AI taking your job or performing tasks end-to-end right now.
But work hard to develop your AI skills by using the usual tools: ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. Whatever it is, that’s right for you.
So, when computer using agents are widely available, you will know how to drive them.
What you need to do is get your team AI literate.
So, they can make the step from being savvy with AI chats to being savvy with AI Agents
And if you're not sure how, reply to this newsletter and I will help.
—-
Inbal Rodnay
Guiding Firms in Adopting AI and Automation
Keynote speaker | AI Workshops | Executive briefings | Consulting CIO
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