How OpenAI Builds AI Agents That Think and Act with Josh Tobin - #730

How OpenAI Builds AI Agents That Think and Act with Josh Tobin - #730

Author: Sam Charrington May 7, 2025 Duration: 1:07:27
Today, we're joined by Josh Tobin, member of technical staff at OpenAI, to discuss the company’s approach to building AI agents. We cover OpenAI's three agentic offerings—Deep Research for comprehensive web research, Operator for website navigation, and Codex CLI for local code execution. We explore OpenAI’s shift from simple LLM workflows to reasoning models specifically trained for multi-step tasks through reinforcement learning, and how that enables agents to more easily recover from failures while executing complex processes. Josh shares insights on the practical applications of these agents, including some unexpected use cases. We also discuss the future of human-AI collaboration in software development, such as with "vibe coding," the integration of tools through the Model Control Protocol (MCP), and the significance of context management in AI-enabled IDEs. Additionally, we highlight the challenges of ensuring trust and safety as AI agents become more powerful and autonomous. The complete show notes for this episode can be found at https://twimlai.com/go/730.

Hosted by industry analyst and commentator Sam Charrington, The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence) serves as a vital conduit between cutting-edge research and its real-world implications. This isn't just a series of technical lectures; it's a series of conversations that unpack how AI and machine learning are actively reshaping industries and societal structures. Each episode connects you directly with leading researchers, engineers, and innovative thinkers who are defining the frontiers of the field. The discussions go beyond abstract theory to explore the practical challenges, ethical considerations, and business transformations driven by these technologies. Whether you're a data scientist deep in the code, a tech-savvy leader strategizing implementation, or simply fascinated by the future of intelligent systems, this podcast provides the context and depth needed to stay informed. By focusing on the people behind the algorithms and the ideas powering the platforms, Sam creates a resource that is both intellectually substantive and genuinely engaging, building a thoughtful community around one of the most significant technological shifts of our time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence)
Podcast Episodes
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