Agents Will Start Handling (Some) Digital Life
AI agents are the next evolutionary leap in the field of AI beyond chatbots
As 2024 came to a close, Dharmesh Shah made a compelling prediction in his piece 3 Predictions for the Future of AI Agents in 2025. His third prediction? AI agents will begin handling parts of our digital lives.
“AI agents are going to start changing how we interact with technology by becoming our digital proxies — understanding our preferences and handling some basic tasks similar to the way we would,” he wrote.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Shah envisioned a near future where:
AI agents understand your preferences and patterns.
Agents navigate websites and tools on your behalf.
Agents handle complex, multi-step tasks without constant supervision.
This isn’t just speculation. As of now, OpenAI has introduced a groundbreaking feature for select users of ChatGPT. This feature leverages artificial intelligence to operate a web browser, enabling users to book trips, buy groceries, find bargains, and perform many other online chores with ease.
Meet Operator: OpenAI's AI Agent
According to WIRED, this new tool, dubbed Operator, represents a significant leap forward in AI capabilities. Operator relies on an AI model trained on both text and images to interpret commands and execute them through a web browser. OpenAI claims it has the potential to automate numerous day-to-day tasks and work-related errands.
However, as Casey Newton noted during his exploration of Operator, the tool is still in its infancy. While it can perform actions in ways that feel novel for AI systems, it often requires considerable guidance. Newton observed,
“The experience revealed to me one of Operator’s key deficiencies: it can use a web browser, but it cannot use your web browser.”
The Bigger Picture
Despite its current limitations, Operator represents just the first iteration of what’s to come. Other players are also developing AI agents aimed at enhancing productivity and simplifying our lives. These tools may even redefine how we approach everyday tasks, potentially making us more productive — or, perhaps, a little lazier.
Dharmesh Shah’s perspective sums it up perfectly:
“AI agents will make it practical to build custom solutions for incredibly specific needs — whether it’s for a single company or even a single person.”
The Next Evolution in AI
AI agents mark a significant evolutionary step beyond chatbots. They promise to become not just tools but active participants in our digital lives, capable of anticipating our needs and acting as our proxies. As we stand at the dawn of this new era, one thing is certain: the way we interact with technology is about to change forever.
A friend is building an operator that would review his code before he submits for an actual review. I wish if I had an operator that would do my training runs and fold my washed clothes.