AI Agents Explained: ChatGPT Work, Claude & Gemini Task (2026)

You have probably heard the term "AI agent" (ejen AI) everywhere this year — and wondered how it differs from the AI chatbot you already use. Simply put: a regular chatbot answers your questions, while an AI agent carries out the task from start to finish. When you give an AI agent a goal, it creates a plan, browses web pages, builds a finished file (such as a spreadsheet, document, or slide deck), can run on a schedule, and asks before taking risky steps.

Take an everyday Malaysian example: suppose you need to find 5 packaging box suppliers in the Klang Valley. A normal chatbot gives you general advice on where to look. An AI agent, on the other hand, visits multiple supplier websites across the Klang Valley, checks their locations and minimum order quantities (MOQ), compiles the findings into a spreadsheet, and hands you the finished file to download.

The three major AI agents today (Checked 7 Nov 2026)

During 2026, all three of these companies renamed or reorganized their agent features. Here are their current names (and their previous names so you recognize both):

1. ChatGPT Work (OpenAI) — Replaces "ChatGPT agent"

OpenAI launched ChatGPT Work on 9 July 2026, and the old "ChatGPT agent" is gone. OpenAI's help center states: "ChatGPT agent is no longer available. Use ChatGPT Work for longer, multi-step tasks and finished deliverables."

What it does: ChatGPT includes Chat and Work. Work is an agent designed for longer, multi-step work and finished deliverables — such as researching a topic, analyzing information, or creating a document, spreadsheet, presentation, report, or Site. On web and mobile, Work runs in the cloud. In the desktop app, Work can also use local files and desktop apps with your permission when allowed.
Plans & pricing (Nov 2026 prices):
- On web and mobile, Work is available for eligible paid plans — such as ChatGPT Plus (RM99.90/month) or ChatGPT Pro (From RM420/month) (tax status not stated).
- In the ChatGPT desktop app (Windows or Mac), OpenAI's official pricing page says Work is also included on the Free and Go plans, "subject to rollout" and with a lighter model. So free users can try Work in the desktop app once the option appears on their account.
- Event-triggered tasks are not available on Free (RM0) or Go (RM24/month). Work follows the same usage structure as Codex.
How to start: Open ChatGPT on web or mobile and choose Work from the Chat / Work choice. In the desktop app (Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac), choose ChatGPT from the menu, then select Work from the toggle.

2. Claude (Anthropic) — "Cowork" is now part of the main Claude app

Anthropic previously offered a separate agent view called Claude Cowork. On 16 September 2026, Anthropic merged Cowork and regular chat into one unified Claude app so Claude can figure out what a task needs automatically.

What it does: Claude can take on complex, multi-step tasks and execute them on your behalf — especially working with long documents, spreadsheets, and file organization. Because sessions can run in the cloud, it can keep working even after you close your laptop. If the task uses files on your own computer, though, the Claude desktop app has to stay open and connected.
Plans & pricing (Nov 2026 prices, in USD, excluding tax):
- Claude Cowork tasks are available on paid plans only (Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, and Enterprise) — not on the Free (USD 0) plan (even though the Free plan also gets the unified interface look).
- The cheapest plan is Claude Pro at USD 20/month billed monthly, or USD 17/month on annual billing (USD 200 billed up front), excluding applicable tax (Nov 2026 price). Higher tiers are Max (USD 100/month) and Ultra (USD 200/month).
- Available in the desktop app (macOS, Windows, and Linux beta) for all paid plans, and on web and mobile for Pro, Max, Ultra, and Team (beta).
How to start:
1. Open Claude on the web, desktop app (Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac), or mobile app.
2. If you still see a "Cowork" option inside the message box, select it. If there is only a single message box, your account already has the unified version — just describe your task directly.
3. In Manual mode (the default), Claude asks before it opens each website: Allow all for this website, Allow once or Deny. Pick Allow once if you want to approve them one at a time.

3. Gemini Task (Google) — Formerly called "Spark"

Google tested its agent feature under the beta name Spark starting in May, then renamed it Task to make its purpose clearer. (Note: This Gemini Task section is based strictly on Google's official help documentation).

What it does: You can assign Gemini Task to automate complex workflows and manage schedules for ongoing tasks — such as decluttering your inbox, monitoring flight and hotel prices within a budget, or pulling research with cited sources into PDFs, documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It can work in a browser and asks you to take over for certain actions.
Requirements & pricing (Nov 2026 prices):
- You must be 18 or over and signed in with a personal Google account (this feature is not available on work or school Google accounts).
- Requires a Google AI Pro (RM97.99/month) or Google AI Ultra (RM429.99 or RM979.90/month) subscription — the Free (RM0) and Google AI Plus (RM23.99/month) plans do not include Task.
- Requires Keep Activity turned on and opting in to Personal Intelligence.
How to start on a computer (Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac): Go to gemini.google.com → click Task in the Chat and Task toggle next to the prompt text box → describe your task (you can specify when to run it, type @ to pick a skill, and attach files). Available on gemini.google.com, the Gemini mobile app, and the Gemini app on Mac.

Comparison table: The 3 AI agents (Checked 7 Nov 2026)

Agent (old name)	Cheapest plan & price (Nov 2026)	Where
ChatGPT Work (was ChatGPT agent)	Free/Go in the desktop app (rolling out); Plus RM99.90/month for web & mobile	Web, mobile, desktop
Claude (was Claude Cowork)	Claude Pro USD 20/month (or USD 17/month annual), excluding tax	Desktop, web, mobile
Gemini Task (was Gemini Spark)	Google AI Pro RM97.99/month (personal account, 18+)	Web, mobile, Mac app

Tax note: Anthropic states that USD prices exclude applicable tax. OpenAI and Google pricing pages for Malaysia do not state whether MYR prices include tax.

Your first real task: Safe supplier research in the Klang Valley

For your first agent task, start with a read-only research task that requires zero logins and zero payments. The prompt below suits ChatGPT Work, Claude and Gemini Task:

Step 1: Switch to the agent view in your chosen app

Open your preferred tool on your computer (Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac) or phone:
- In ChatGPT: select Work.
- In Claude: select Cowork if shown in the message box, or type directly into the unified message box.
- In Gemini (gemini.google.com): click Task below the prompt box.
- You should see: The prompt input ready to take a multi-step assignment.
- Note: The Work option isn't available in ChatGPT's Temporary Chat, and Cowork isn't available in Claude's incognito mode. I checked both myself on 7 Nov 2026. Use a normal chat for agent tasks.

Step 2: Run the Klang Valley supplier comparison prompt

Copy and paste the exact prompt below:

Find 5 paper box or packaging suppliers for small businesses in the Klang Valley, Malaysia using public web pages.

Do not log in to any accounts and do not submit any enquiry forms.

Compile the findings into a downloadable spreadsheet (or CSV file) with these columns:
1. Supplier Name
2. Location / City in the Klang Valley
3. Main Packaging Types Offered
4. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) — write "Not stated on website" if not listed
5. Official Contact Method (public phone number or contact page)
6. Official Source URL

At the end, list 3 specific points I should verify myself before contacting these suppliers.

You should see: I tested this prompt myself on 7 Nov 2026. Here's what happened:
1. ChatGPT Work: A one-line plan, then "Searching the web". After about 2 minutes it produced an Excel file (.xlsx) that opens in a panel on the right, with 5 suppliers and the 3 things to check.
2. Claude: It asked permission for each supplier website (Manual mode). Once approved, a .csv file appeared under Outputs in the right-hand panel, with a source list and the 3 things to check.
3. Gemini Task: I couldn't test this one (it needs Google AI Pro). Follow the same steps and check the file it produces.

Step 3: Verify every link and number yourself

Open the downloaded spreadsheet and click each source URL in Column 6.
- You should see: The actual supplier web pages. Always verify the phone numbers, locations, and MOQ figures on the real site before calling or placing an order.

7 essential AI agent safety rules (Read this before connecting apps!)

Because AI agents can browse the web, read files, and carry out multi-step actions, follow these seven rules every time:

7 Safety Rules for AI Agents:

Agents can be wrong — check every link and number: Never rely blindly on an agent's spreadsheet. Open the cited links to confirm prices, addresses, and figures yourself.
Understand prompt injection: In plain words, prompt injection means a web page or email can contain hidden instructions designed to trick an AI agent into doing something you didn't ask for. Be careful when letting an agent browse untrusted websites while connected to sensitive apps.
Log in yourself (take over) and never type passwords into chat: Whenever a site needs a login, take over the browser yourself. Never type banking passwords, OTP codes, or secret API keys into the chat box.
Connect only the apps and folders the task needs: Only enable integrations required for the current task. For Claude specifically, official documentation states that Claude can only read and write files in folders you have connected, and requires your explicit permission before permanently deleting any files.
Avoid vague instructions like "Handle all my emails": Broad, open-ended commands can cause an agent to archive or reply to messages unintentionally. Keep instructions narrow and ask for drafts first.
Stop the task immediately if something looks wrong: Watch the agent's progress log. If it strays onto unrelated pages, hit the stop button right away — you always keep the final say.
Remember that agent tasks use more of your plan's usage: Because a single agent task runs multiple reasoning and browsing steps behind the scenes, it consumes noticeably more of your usage allowance than a normal chat message.

AI Agents vs Automation: Which one should you use?

Use an AI agent (ChatGPT Work, Claude, or Gemini Task) for one-off thinking tasks where the steps vary each time — such as researching 5 new packaging suppliers or comparing reports.
Use workflow automation (n8n) when you want the exact same task to run every single day by itself — such as saving every customer order form submission straight into Google Sheets automatically.

What's next?

If you want an AI agent that works directly on files and folders on your own Windows PC or Mac, read my complete beginner guide to Claude Code.

Step-by-step Bina dengan AI (Build with AI) recipes for building real business websites and automated systems are coming soon (akan datang). Until then, explore more free guides on the Belajar AI hub or build your foundations with the 4 free Mula Sini starter recipes.