Serendipity35

OpenAI's new Atlas browser has an Agent mode, which allows it to navigate sites, fill carts, and perform real-world tasks. Can it do it well for you - and will you trust it to do it for you?

Elyse Betters Picaro, a Senior Contributing Editor at zdnet.com, did a shopping test. For Plus and Pro users (only on Mac IOS for now), it includes a powerful Agent mode so that ChatGPT can take over your browser, click around, and perform tasks for you.

She tried having it do an order from Walmart and reported the process and results. You put n a prompt, just as you would for any chatbot request. Unsurprisingly, the more specific the prompt, the better the result. (GIGO still lives!) Initially, she asked, "Order me wood putty, paintable caulk, and 2-inch screws from Walmart." In a way out of some sci-fi story from the past, the Agent took over the cursor and all while she watched.

Her test is enough of a cautionary tale that I have not tried a similar test myself at this point. Privacy fears...

Walmart's site created a hurdle (a language-selection pop-up) that blocked Atlas' Agent from continuing, even though she had it access to her Chrome data and Keychain. That's frightening, but consider that she had already given the key data to those two other companies. It couldn't log in to Walmart, didn't know her location or default store, even though she has ordered from them before. She revised her prompt (as we have all done) and on the third try she prompted: "Order me 5 wood putty, 5 paintable caulk, and one pack of 2-inch screws. I want them delivered to my house from the Malone, NY, location in an hour. I've ordered these before, so use my past purchases to find the right products and brands I use."

It worked. The agent used her purchase history, searched for the products in past orders, and added them to her cart. It didn't complete the order but paused at the checkout screen so she could select a delivery window, adjust the tip, and confirm payment.

Does this amaze you, excite you, or frighten you? I'm glad that others are testing it. I've hit the pause button.