Testing OpenAI's New Computer Use Agent (CUA) API

Is OpenAI’s New Computer Use Agent (CUA) API Ready for Real-World Use?

OpenAI has launched its new Computer Use Agent (CUA) API, promising to automate computer interactions. But does it live up to the hype? With similar features to Anthropic’s offering, expectations were high—but after hours of testing, the results were surprisingly disappointing. We will break down the findings, highlight key challenges, and explore whether OpenAI’s CUA is truly ready for real-world use.

How OpenAI’s CUA Works

• The CUA takes a screenshot of the computer environment.
• It sends the screenshot to OpenAI’s model for analysis.
• The model responds with instructions that need to be executed by a separate application.
• The process repeats until the task is completed.

OpenAI provides different ways to implement CUA, including Docker or a local environment setup. The local browsing environment was used in this test for quicker setup, leveraging Playwright for browser automation. Businesses exploring AI-driven automation may also consider Custom AI for Automation for more tailored and effective solutions.

Testing CUA’s Performance

The CUA was tested on simple browser-based tasks, such as:

• Searching for stylish basketball shoes on Amazon.
• Performing a Google search for AI news articles.
• Clicking on headlines on ESPN and BBC World News.

Unfortunately, the results were disappointing:

• The agent struggled to accurately identify clickable elements.
• It repeatedly clicked in the wrong places or missed search bars entirely.
• Even the simplest task—typing in a search bar—was inconsistent.
• Websites like Amazon and Google quickly detected automation attempts, further complicating the process.

Challenges and Limitations

• Poor Click Accuracy: The model frequently clicked on incorrect elements.
• Inconsistent Execution: Even repeated tests produced different failures.
• Automation Blocks: Many websites detect and restrict automated interactions.
• Inferior to Competitors: Anthropic’s model, released four months ago, outperforms OpenAI’s CUA in nearly every aspect.

These challenges highlight why many AI implementation efforts fall short. Companies looking to navigate these pitfalls should be aware of Top 3 AI Implementation Mistakes before integrating automation solutions.

Final Verdict: A Work in Progress

OpenAI claims a 38.1% success rate for full computer tasks, but based on real-world testing, this number seems overly optimistic. The model struggles even with basic web automation, making it unreliable for more complex workflows. Compared to Anthropic’s solution, OpenAI’s CUA appears significantly behind.

Conclusion

As of now, OpenAI’s Computer Use Agent is not ready for practical applications. While improvements may come in future updates, it’s clear that OpenAI has a long way to go before catching up with competitors. If you’ve tested this API, share your thoughts—did you encounter similar issues, or did you find ways to improve performance?

Is OpenAI’s CUA the Future of AI Automation?

OpenAI’s Computer Use Agent (CUA) shows potential but still has major hurdles to overcome. Have you tested it yourself? What were your findings?

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