Published on: March 13, 2025 / Updated on: March 13, 2025 – Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
OpenAI is bringing its AI agent “Operator” to Germany and other European countries – Image: Xpert.Digital
Market launch in Europe: OpenAI's AI agent 'Operator' takes off
Autonomous AI agents conquer Europe: OpenAI expands with 'Operator'
OpenAI today took a significant step toward the international expansion of its advanced AI technology. The AI agent known as "Operator," previously available only in select markets, will be available in Germany and other European countries starting March 13, 2025. This expansion marks a major milestone in the global deployment of autonomous AI agents capable of independently performing complex tasks on the internet.
Suitable for:
The introduction of the operator in Germany and Europe
OpenAI has officially launched its digital assistant “Operator” in Germany and other European countries. The feature is now available to ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. This expansion follows an initial rollout in the US, which began in January 2025, and a subsequent rollout to other international markets including Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the UK.
The European launch was not a given. At the beginning of the year, it was reported that the operator was unavailable in Europe, with the message “Operator is unavailable in your region.” Even in early March, it was reported that the EU and other European countries would remain excluded from using the service. This situation has now apparently changed, possibly due to successful adaptations to European regulations or technical optimizations for the European market.
Access to the operator is via the website operator.chatgpt.com and is currently reserved exclusively for users of the most expensive subscription model, ChatGPT Pro. This restriction is part of a phased rollout strategy that OpenAI is pursuing to optimize the system under real-world conditions before making it available to a wider audience.
Technology and operation of the operator
The Operator is an AI-powered assistant that can independently perform tasks on the internet. The system is based on the so-called Computer-Using Agent (CUA), an evolution that combines the visual capabilities of GPT-4o with advanced reasoning through reinforcement learning. Unlike traditional AI models, CUA interacts directly with graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It clicks buttons, navigates menus, and fills in text fields without relying on specific APIs.
OpenAI's "Operator" is designed to automate certain tasks within the web browser. First unveiled at the end of January, this feature can execute mouse and keyboard commands to, for example, fill out online forms or make bookings. The browser used by the Operator runs in the cloud and is operated by OpenAI – not on the user's own device. This offers several advantages: the Operator can be used from another device, such as a mobile phone, and while the Operator works in its own environment, the user can perform other tasks on the computer.
The user interface is intentionally simple: users describe a task, and the operator completes it in the remote browser. Control remains flexible. For certain actions, such as logins, payment information, or CAPTCHAs, the agent actively asks if the user wants to take over. This interaction is designed to make operation intuitive and secure.
Application areas and potential of the AI agent
According to OpenAI, “Operator” is designed to automate time-consuming tasks, such as online shopping or booking travel. Users can also customize recurring processes, for example, by specifying preferred providers. Operator can perform a variety of repetitive browser tasks, including filling out forms, ordering groceries, and even creating memes.
In the US, where the operator has already been tested, user reports indicate that the AI assistant was able to perform tasks such as compiling shopping lists or planning trips. The so-called "research preview" is capable of selecting options based on user preferences and independently performing actions in the web browser.
For individuals, the operator could serve as a digital assistant, helping with daily organization or conducting in-depth online research. In a business setting, it could automate routine tasks, analyze data, or support project planning. The ability to use the same interfaces and tools that people interact with daily significantly expands the benefits of AI and helps people save time on everyday tasks.
Suitable for:
Operator limitations and restrictions
Despite its impressive capabilities, the operator also has some limitations. OpenAI emphasizes that the AI is not capable of performing all steps independently. Users must still take action themselves regarding security checks or payment information. This is to protect sensitive information and ensure user safety.
Another problem concerns access to certain websites. Many websites, including large ones like Reddit and some news sites, completely block AI agents. This means the operator cannot access these websites at all. Furthermore, OpenAI itself blocks other websites that the operator cannot use, either because they require a lot of computing power or because they are competitor sites, such as Google's YouTube.
The operator is currently an early research preview and is still in a learning phase. Although it can already handle a wide range of tasks, it still makes mistakes and encounters difficulties with complex user interfaces such as creating slideshows or managing calendars. Feedback from early users plays a crucial role in improving its accuracy, reliability, and security.
OpenAI's strategy and future developments
With its launch in Europe, it remains to be seen whether and when OpenAI will open the feature to a wider user base. The company states that it intends to further develop and adapt the assistant. In future development, OpenAI plans to make the operator available to Plus, Team, and Enterprise users as well. The long-term goal is to integrate the features directly into ChatGPT. This phased expansion demonstrates the systematic approach to introducing this new technology.
OpenAI also plans to soon make the model that powers the Operator, the Computer-Using Agent (CUA), available in its API, enabling developers to build their own computer-using agents. Furthermore, the company is continuously working to improve the Operator's capabilities to handle longer and more complex workflows.
Just yesterday, March 12, 2025, OpenAI released a new Responses API, integrated tools, and a new Software Development Kit (ADK) that allows developers to create their own AI agents, similar to the Operator. This underscores OpenAI's commitment to advancing the development of AI agents and making the technology accessible to a wider audience.
Suitable for:
Significance for the German market
The introduction of the operator in Germany represents a significant step in the development and dissemination of AI agents. How well the operator will perform in European online services and with country-specific requirements remains to be seen. Adapting to local conditions, languages, and cultural nuances will play a crucial role in the operator's success in Germany.
The availability of the operator could also create new employment opportunities. Job postings for “Digital Operators” or similar positions already exist in Germany, although these terms are currently mostly used for other roles. However, with the increasing prevalence of AI agents like the operator, new job profiles could emerge that focus on controlling, monitoring, and optimizing these systems.
2025 was predicted by experts as the “year of autonomous AI,” and with the operator’s international expansion, this prediction seems to be coming true. OpenAI is not the only company active in this field. Anthropic also released the “Computer Use” feature with the Claude 3.5 Sonnet update, and Apple Intelligence is planning enhanced voice control capabilities that can handle more tasks on behalf of the user. Competition in this segment will drive the further development of the technology and could lead to increasingly powerful AI agents.
The introduction of the operator of autonomous AI systems in Germany
With this move, OpenAI has significantly expanded the geographic reach of its AI agent, now allowing German users to benefit from this technology. Although the operator still has limitations and is in an early stage of development, it already offers impressive capabilities that have the potential to fundamentally change the way we interact with the internet.
OpenAI's phased rollout strategy and continuous system improvement based on user feedback suggest that the operator could become even more powerful and accessible in the coming months. With the planned integration into ChatGPT and expansion to additional subscription types, this technology could soon be available to a wider audience and become an integral part of our digital experience.
Suitable for:
Your global marketing and business development partner
☑️ Our business language is English or German
☑️ NEW: Correspondence in your national language!
Konrad Wolfenstein
I would be happy to serve you and my team as a personal advisor.
You can contact me by filling out the contact form or simply call me on +49 7348 4088 965 (Munich) . My email address is: wolfenstein ∂ xpert.digital
I'm looking forward to our joint project.
