A Practical Guide to Using ChatGPT Agent for Real World Business Tasks

Written By Tom Hewitson

AI agents are a new kind of assistant that go beyond chat. They don’t just respond to prompts but they carry out entire tasks for you step by step. These agents can browse the web, manage files, use tools, and even interact with other services to get the job done.

In short, they behave like helpful virtual co-workers who can handle tasks with minimal supervision. This makes them especially useful for professionals who want to save time on repetitive or multi-step processes.

OpenAI recently introduced ChatGPT Agents within the ChatGPT. These agents work within the browser and are powered by GPT-4, with access to web browsing, file handling, code interpretation, and other advanced capabilities.

What makes ChatGPT Agents different?

ChatGPT Agents are designed to carry out complete tasks not just assist with thinking or writing.

Here is how they differ from other AI features:

  • Goal-focused: Agents work toward completing a defined task from start to finish, rather than just responding to individual prompts.

  • Autonomous action: They can take multi-step actions without being prompted at each stage.

  • Tool integration: Agents can use a range of built-in tools, including:

    • Web browsing

    • Code interpreter

    • File handling

    • APIs and third-party services (where configured)

  • Memory-aware: Agents can keep track of previous actions and make decisions based on what they’ve already done.

  • Human in the loop: They still check in for approvals or decisions where needed, especially when placing orders or confirming outputs.

This shift from passive assistants to active virtual co-workers marks an important step in how AI can transform task execution and productivity in the workplace.

Who can access ChatGPT Agents?

ChatGPT Agent is OpenAI’s latest premium feature for Plus, Pro, and Enterprise users. It combines three previously separate tools (Deep Research, Operator, and core language reasoning) into one integrated assistant.

Monthly usage limits vary by plan:

  • Plus: 40 messages

  • Pro: 400 messages

  • Team: 30 credits

You’ll also need to enable features such as browsing, file uploads, and tools under your settings to use agent capabilities.

A Walkthrough : Using a ChatGPT Agent to design and order stickers for business event

To show what a ChatGPT Agent can do in practice, we tested it with a real business task, preparing event merchandise for our next General Purpose: Introduction to AI for Businesses event.

The task:

We asked ChatGPT agent to create an illustration of a corgi in a playful, anime style, turn it into a square sticker design, and order 500 printed copies for delivery in the UK. This involved multiple steps, including image generation, print file formatting, finding a suitable supplier, confirming the design, and completing the order.

What the agent did:

  • Generated a corgi illustration in the correct style and format

  • Prepared a print-ready version of the design

  • Sourced a UK-based sticker printing service

  • Submitted the order and confirmed delivery to a business address

This was all completed from a single prompt, with no coding or design tools required.

You can watch the full walkthrough from below:

Other ways to use ChatGPT Agents in day-to-day work

Once you’re comfortable with how agents work, you can begin applying them to other use cases. For example:

Marketing and events

  • Generate branded merchandise designs

  • Order flyers, business cards, or event signage

Research and reporting

  • Gather competitor insights from public websites

  • Compile summaries or data into formatted documents

Operations and admin

  • File service requests or bookings online

  • Handle routine supplier communications

To adapt an agent to your task:

  • Keep the goal specific

  • Provide relevant files or links

  • Clarify preferred formats or outcomes

The future of AI agents at work

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said, “The most powerful productivity tools will be those you delegate to, not just those you use.”

ChatGPT agents represent a shift in how work is done. Instead of just assisting with thinking or writing, AI can now take care of entire tasks from research and planning to ordering and execution.

There are still some limitations. Agents may occasionally need clarification, and not every task can be completed without supervision. But the direction is clear as AI is becoming more capable of acting on our behalf in meaningful and reliable ways.

This offers a real opportunity for professionals to streamline their workflows without needing technical skills or custom software.

Want to Learn More About ChatGPT Agent and Practise with an Experienced AI Instructor?

At General Purpose our mission is to give teams the skills, knowledge and confidence to ensure no-one gets left behind by the AI revolution.

We’re already helping leaders across sectors make sense of what’s hype and what’s real so they can deploy AI responsibly with clarity, confidence and control. Our unique approach, refined over a decade of working with AI, delivers immediate, practical value.

Book your 1-to-1 or team coaching session by emailing hi@generalpurpose.com. We’ll connect you with a skilled instructor and get your session booked in.

Tom Hewitson
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