Why OpenAI Is Racing to Make Computer Use Superhuman

AI agents are approaching a point where they can use computers faster than expert humans, turning the user interface itself into a universal way for AI to interact with software. OpenAI’s Ari Weinstein and James Sun argue that computer use is now entering its scaling moment, as better models, faster execution, and stronger safety controls make agents practical for more consumer and enterprise work. Ari and James join a16z’s Seema Amble and Fabrizio Serafini to explain how computer-using agents are already navigating legacy ERPs, reconciling financial data, handling procurement, and operating software without APIs or custom integrations. They also discuss why the harness around the model can matter as much as model intelligence, how enterprises can set deterministic guardrails around agent behavior, and why computer use could simultaneously extend the life of legacy software and accelerate the arrival of new AI-native applications. Looking ahead, they make the case for a more proactive and fluid relationship with computers, where agents work in the background, collaborate with users in real time, and increasingly adapt to us rather than requiring us to learn how to use them. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:51 What GPT-6 Astra unlocks for consumers and enterprises 05:43 How the OpenAI team uses dots 08:05 Approaching superhuman: speed, cost and control 11:24 Agents on the open web and the ad problem 13:51 Which tasks to hand over to an agent 17:21 Getting enterprises to trust computer use 20:04 The best enterprise use cases: boring is opportunity 25:36 Will agents run legacy software or replace it? 32:38 Advice for founders building on computer use 37:31 What’s next for computer use Resources: Follow Seema Amble on X: https://x.com/seema_amble Follow Fabrizio Serafini on X: https://x.com/fabserafini Follow Ari Weinstein on X: https://x.com/AriX Follow James Sun on X: https://x.com/JamesZmSun Related a16z research from Seema Amble and Fabrizio Serafini: Can Agents Use a Computer Yet? We’ve Got the Data Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

Ari WeinsteinguestSeema AmblehostJames SunguestFabrizio Serafinihost

Oct 26, 202644mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: October 26, 2026
Duration: 44m
Channel: a16z
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

AI agents are approaching a point where they can use computers faster than expert humans, turning the user interface itself into a universal way for AI to interact with software. OpenAI’s Ari Weinstein and James Sun argue that computer use is now entering its scaling moment, as better models, faster execution, and stronger safety controls make agents practical for more consumer and enterprise work. Ari and James join a16z’s Seema Amble and Fabrizio Serafini to explain how computer-using agents are already navigating legacy ERPs, reconciling financial data, handling procurement, and operating software without APIs or custom integrations. They also discuss why the harness around the model can matter as much as model intelligence, how enterprises can set deterministic guardrails around agent behavior, and why computer use could simultaneously extend the life of legacy software and accelerate the arrival of new AI-native applications. Looking ahead, they make the case for a more proactive and fluid relationship with computers, where agents work in the background, collaborate with users in real time, and increasingly adapt to us rather than requiring us to learn how to use them. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:51 What GPT-6 Astra unlocks for consumers and enterprises 05:43 How the OpenAI team uses dots 08:05 Approaching superhuman: speed, cost and control 11:24 Agents on the open web and the ad problem 13:51 Which tasks to hand over to an agent 17:21 Getting enterprises to trust computer use 20:04 The best enterprise use cases: boring is opportunity 25:36 Will agents run legacy software or replace it? 32:38 Advice for founders building on computer use 37:31 What’s next for computer use Resources: Follow Seema Amble on X: https://x.com/seema_amble Follow Fabrizio Serafini on X: https://x.com/fabserafini Follow Ari Weinstein on X: https://x.com/AriX Follow James Sun on X: https://x.com/JamesZmSun Related a16z research from Seema Amble and Fabrizio Serafini: Can Agents Use a Computer Yet? We’ve Got the Data Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

SPEAKERS

Ari Weinstein
guest
OpenAI product leader working on computer-using agents (Computer Use) and related consumer experiences.
Seema Amble
host
a16z podcast host and Andreessen Horowitz team member covering AI and software.
James Sun
guest
OpenAI builder focused on enterprise applications and controls for computer-using agents (Computer Use).
Fabrizio Serafini
host
a16z podcast co-host and Andreessen Horowitz team member interviewing AI product builders.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Ari Weinstein and Seema Amble, Why OpenAI Is Racing to Make Computer Use Superhuman explores computer-using agents near superhuman speed, forcing new trust controls Ari Weinstein and James Sun describe how Astra improves computer-using agents through faster operation, higher reliability, and stronger alignment, which together increase user trust.

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