New tool from OpenAI - Agent AI
It’s a powerful tool with tremendous capabilities… but also with equally significant potential security risks. Before this solution reaches the EU, it's important to understand what it really is and why caution and common sense are essential.
What is the ChatGPT agent?
The ChatGPT Agent is a new solution that combines web browsing, coding, data analysis, file interaction, and access to external applications — all in one tool. This assistant can carry out complex, multi-step tasks — from planning a wedding and managing an email inbox to generating multimedia presentations.
As Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, described it:
"Agent represents a new level of capability for AI systems and can accomplish some remarkable, complex tasks for you using its own computer. It combines the spirit of Deep Research and Operator, but is more powerful than that may sound..."
What can the AI agent actually do?
The new ChatGPT agent can:
Book travel and make online purchases
Read and respond to your emails
Generate documents, spreadsheets, and presentations
Browse websites and analyze information
Access your calendar and contact list
This is not a chatbot. It's a digital assistant that acts almost like a person — with access to your personal data and internet-connected tools.
What permissions does it require?
The agent requires access to various systems and applications, depending on the task.
The more autonomous the task, the broader the permissions the agent needs. And each permission granted creates a potential privacy risk.
Key Risks
OpenAI openly warns that AI tools can be manipulated by malicious content.
"Hackers may try to trick agents into disclosing private information or performing actions they shouldn’t."
Potential risks include:
Leakage of personal data (address, phone number, email, payment info)
Taking action based on deceptive or malicious emails
Granting agents overly broad permissions without understanding the consequences
Storing personal data in memory (if memory is enabled)
How to Protect Yourself
OpenAI and privacy experts recommend a few simple principles:
Follow the principle of minimal access:
"We recommend giving access the minimum access required to complete a task to reduce privacy and security risks."
Recommended precautions:
Don’t give the agent access to your emails, calendar, documents, or wallet unless strictly necessary
Avoid “hands-off” instructions like automatic email replies
Turn off the assistant’s memory if you don’t want it to retain session data
Carefully review what the agent is requesting access to
Is It Worth It?
For many companies and users, an AI agent can be a huge convenience — saving time, reducing digital chaos, and automating everyday office tasks.
But…
The risk of violating privacy often outweighs the benefits of automation, especially when dealing with personal data.
And yet, people will use agents anyway:
out of curiosity
because of the media hype
because “everyone has one”
or because their company has declared an “AI-first” strategy
The pace of AI development is much faster than our ability to use it safely and responsibly. ChatGPT Agent is a powerful but experimental tool. It’s wise to understand what you’re dealing with before granting it access to your digital life.
💬 "Before giving an agent access to your emails, calendar, or files — make sure you understand what you’re gaining… and what you might be giving up."