OpenAI Codex, Artificial intelligence just keeps getting smarter—and OpenAI isn’t slowing down. In fact, they’ve rolled out not one, not two, but three powerful AI agents in a single year. If you’re scratching your head trying to figure out what Codex, Operator, and Deep Research actually do, don’t worry—we’re diving deep into it all, but in plain English.
Let’s walk through what each of these AI agents brings to the table and how they’re reshaping the way we code, automate tasks, and do serious research.
Meet the Trio: What Are These AI Agents Anyway?
Think of OpenAI’s latest AI agents as specialists with superpowers. They’re all built using OpenAI’s smartest models (especially the newest reasoning engine, o3), but each has a unique role to play:
- Codex is like your go-to coding buddy—always ready to debug or build something.
- Operator? Picture an AI that clicks buttons and fills forms like a seasoned office assistant.
- Deep Research is your digital Sherlock Holmes, digging up facts and compiling research reports so you don’t have to.
Codex: Your On-Demand Coding Sidekick
If you’ve ever wanted help building an app, fixing bugs, or just understanding your own code better, OpenAI Codex is your new best friend. Codex isn’t just a tool—it’s a software engineer that lives inside ChatGPT.
What Exactly Can Codex Do?
- Write new features: You describe what you want, and Codex writes the code.
- Fix bugs: It finds what’s broken and suggests how to fix it.
- Explain code: Not sure what a chunk of code does? OpenAI Codex breaks it down for you.
- Answer coding questions: Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned dev, it has answers.
- Test until success: It can test and refine the code until it runs like a dream.
How It Works Behind the Scenes
Codex is powered by a specialized version of OpenAI’s o3 reasoning model—tuned specifically for software tasks. It was trained using reinforcement learning on real-life codebases. That means it knows how to code like a human: clean, readable, and precise.
And here’s the kicker—it runs every task in a private, isolated “sandbox.” That means it won’t interfere with your main code unless you say so. Total control, total safety.
Why Codex Feels Like Magic for Developers
Picture this: You’re knee-deep in code. You’ve hit a wall. Normally, you’d go Googling, scrolling through Stack Overflow, maybe even crying a little. With Codex, you just ask, and it’s like your senior dev buddy replies instantly—with solutions that work.
Operator: The AI That Uses Your Computer Like You Do
Now, let’s switch gears. Imagine you had a digital assistant that could open your browser, fill out forms, click buttons, read emails, and even upload files—just like a human assistant. That’s Operator.
What Makes Operator So Unique?
- Interacts with GUIs: It “sees” your screen and can click, type, and navigate.
- Plans in steps: Give it a task and it’ll break it down into smart, manageable actions.
- Fixes its own mistakes: It’s self-correcting, meaning it learns and adapts as it goes.
- Works in a dedicated browser: Operator has its own sandboxed browser, so it’s not messing with your actual system.
It’s powered by the Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, which combines vision from GPT-4o and deep reasoning from OpenAI’s advanced brains.
It Accepts Both Text and Images
Want to tell it what to do using screenshots? No problem. Operator understands image inputs and can act on them. Need it to navigate a new web portal using a PDF tutorial? Done.
Operator Is Like a Virtual Office Ninja
You know how some office assistants just “get” what needs to be done—even before you finish your sentence? That’s the vibe here. It’s the kind of tool that can handle repetitive digital tasks while you focus on more important things.
Deep Research: The AI That Reads the Whole Internet So You Don’t Have To
Last, but definitely not least, meet Deep Research—the AI agent that does deep-dive research like a full-time analyst.
What Does Deep Research Actually Do?
- Scours the web for reliable sources
- Reads PDFs, images, and articles
- Summarizes hours of content into sharp, structured reports
- Provides citation-level accuracy
Unlike a typical ChatGPT response, this one takes its sweet time—5 to 30 minutes, to be exact. Why? Because it’s doing real research, not just regurgitating what it’s already learned.
How Is It Different from Regular ChatGPT Searches?
OpenAI Codex, Normal ChatGPT queries pull from internal data or a quick web lookup. Deep Research, on the other hand, analyzes dozens or hundreds of sources in the background. It acts like a tireless intern who reads everything and only gives you the highlights that matter.
Deep Research Is Like Having a Personal Research Team
Whether you’re writing a market report, analyzing trends, or just trying to get a thorough answer to a big question—Deep Research doesn’t just skim the surface. It dives headfirst and comes back with gold.
Why These AI Agents Matter Right Now
Let’s be real—life moves fast, and no one has time to manually debug code, fill out endless forms, or read 50 articles just to understand a topic.
That’s why OpenAI Codex, Operator, and Deep Research matter. They don’t just make things easier—they make you more productive, creative, and efficient.
It’s like hiring three experts who work 24/7, never complain, and never take a coffee break.
How Do You Access These Agents?
If you’re a ChatGPT Plus or Pro user, you likely already have access. These agents show up as optional tools you can enable during your session:
- Use Codex when you’re working on software or scripts.
- Launch Operator for GUI-based tasks and browser automation.
- Call on Deep Research when you need serious information gathering.
Just remember: They’re tools, not magic wands. But used smartly? They can feel like the future.
The Future Is Here, and It’s AI-Powered
Let’s not sugarcoat it: OpenAI is changing the game. With Codex, Operator, and Deep Research, they’ve created a trio of tools that are part engineer, part assistant, and part analyst—all rolled into digital form.
Whether you’re building a startup, managing a project, or just trying to get more done in your day, these AI agents are designed to help you do it better, faster, and with less friction.
Read More: Microsoft Layoffs 2025: Why 6,000 Employees Are Being Let Go Amid AI Strategy Shift
Conclusion
So, what’s the takeaway?
If you:
- Code — you’ll want OpenAI Codex in your corner.
- Juggle tasks — Operator will make your life a whole lot easier.
- Need serious answers — Deep Research will blow your mind with its depth.
OpenAI didn’t just make three tools—they created three experts in your pocket. Use them wisely, and you’ll wonder how you ever worked without them.