What is…
Computer use
AI that operates a computer like a person — seeing the screen, moving the mouse, typing and clicking.
Instead of relying on an API for every app, a computer-use agent looks at screenshots and controls the keyboard and mouse. It can fill forms, navigate websites and use software that has no integration.
It's slower and more error-prone than APIs, so it's best for tasks where no better connection exists — always with guardrails around logins, payments and deletions.
🧠 Test yourself
Which of these describes Computer use?
Related terms
Agentic AI (AI agents)
AI that doesn't just answer — it plans, takes actions with tools, checks results and keeps going until the job is done.
Prompt injection
Hidden instructions in a web page, email or file that try to hijack an AI agent.
Guardrails
Rules and checks around an AI system that block unsafe, off-topic or wrong outputs and actions.
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