OpenAI Releases First Agent — “Operator”

Also, $500B committed from SoftBank, Oracle, OpenAI to data center project “Stargate”

Author

Jack Lajoie
January 23, 2025 • read time ~ 7 minutes

⚡️ Headlines

🤖 AI

Perplexity launches Sonar, an API for AI-powered search - Perplexity introduces a tool to enable developers to embed AI-driven search functionality into their apps. [TechCrunch]

Tencent unveils Hunyuan3D 2.0, cutting 3D design time from days to seconds - The latest version of Tencent's AI model revolutionizes 3D asset creation for gaming and design. [VentureBeat]

DeepSeek's open-source AI model challenges O1 at a fraction of the cost - DeepSeek releases a high-performing and affordable alternative to the industry-standard AI model. [ZDNet]

AI judge debuts at X Games snowboarding events - AI systems are now scoring snowboarding tricks, raising questions about technology's role in sports. [USA Today]

🦾 Emerging Tech

SEC under Trump forms crypto task force to clarify regulations - The SEC aims to streamline policies and boost compliance in the cryptocurrency sector. [CNBC]

Crypto.com launches institutional-grade exchange in the U.S. - Crypto.com expands its services to attract institutional investors with new offerings. [The Block]

🤳 Social Media

Snap launches new rewards for AR creators and discounted Spectacles for students - Snap incentivizes creators and targets younger users with affordable hardware options. [TechCrunch]

Meta introduces cross-platform linking for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook - The feature aims to unify the messaging ecosystem under Meta's umbrella. [TechCrunch]

Meta offers $5K bonuses to lure TikTok creators - The company ramps up efforts to compete with TikTok by enticing influencers. [TechCrunch]

Instagram to promote longer 3-minute Reels - Instagram pivots to prioritize extended content in its Reels feature. [Social Media Today]

🔬 Research

State of Social Media report reveals trends in platform usage and engagement - New research highlights shifts in social media consumption and emerging opportunities for brands. [Meltwater]

⚖ Legal

Trump signs executive order banning TikTok in the U.S. - The order intensifies debates over national security and digital privacy. [NPR]

Trump considers clemency for Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht - A controversial pardon proposal sparks backlash from law enforcement and tech leaders. [New York Times]

President Trump formalizes Musk's DOGE Commission - The executive order establishes Musk's initiative to explore cryptocurrency adoption. [TechCrunch]

🎱 Random

Grindr plans chat summaries and AI-based discovery tools - Grindr invests in AI to enhance user experience with smarter features. [Bloomberg]

NFL Christmas games boost Netflix to its best month since 2023 - Netflix sees record growth as holiday NFL coverage attracts subscribers. [Awful Announcing]

🔌 Plug-Into-This

OpenAI has introduced 'Operator,' an AI agent capable of automating tasks such as purchasing groceries and filing expense reports. Currently in a "research preview," Operator is accessible to ChatGPT Pro users in the United States, who subscribe at $200 per month.

  • Operator functions by accessing the internet through its own browser, enabling it to interact with websites by typing, clicking, and scrolling, similar to human actions.

  • The AI agent utilizes OpenAI's new "Computer-Using Agent" (CUA) model, which combines GPT-4o's vision capabilities with advanced reasoning through reinforcement learning to interact with graphical user interfaces.

  • OpenAI is collaborating with companies such as Instacart, Uber, and eBay to enhance webpage accessibility for Operator, although these partnerships do not involve financial arrangements.

  • Operator includes features like "takeover mode," prompting users to manually input sensitive information such as payment details or login credentials, ensuring user control and security.

  • The release of Operator marks OpenAI's entry into the competitive AI agent landscape, aiming to provide significant time and efficiency savings for both personal and corporate users.

🤖 The much awaited, much anticipated AI agent from OpenAI is ultimately hidden behind the $200 / mo paywall. Let’s see if OpenAI’s brand establishment is good enough to get people to pay for this kind of advanced AI functionality vs. using open-source alternatives.

OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle have announced the Stargate Project, a joint venture aiming to invest up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure across the United States by 2029. The initiative was unveiled by President Donald Trump, highlighting it as the largest AI infrastructure project in history.

  • The Stargate Project plans to construct 10 data centers in Abilene, Texas, with future expansions to other states, focusing on enhancing AI capabilities and creating over 100,000 jobs in the U.S.

  • SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son will serve as the venture's chairman, with SoftBank overseeing financial responsibilities and OpenAI handling operational aspects.

  • Technology partners include Arm, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and OpenAI, contributing to the development and implementation of the project's AI infrastructure.

  • President Trump indicated the use of emergency declarations to expedite the project's development, particularly concerning energy infrastructure to support the data centers' substantial power requirements.

🚀 Despite the ambitious investment goals, concerns have been raised regarding the project's financing, with figures like Elon Musk questioning the availability of the full $500 billion.

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