GUI Agents: An Overview of Trustworthiness and Challenges

The rapid development of large language models (LLMs) has led to remarkable advancements in the field of artificial intelligence. One particularly promising area of application is GUI agents (Graphical User Interface Agents). These intelligent agents can interact with graphical user interfaces, automate tasks, and revolutionize human-computer interaction. From booking flights and managing emails to automating workflows, GUI agents offer enormous potential. However, as the capabilities of these agents increase, so does the need to ensure their trustworthiness.

Functionality and Areas of Application

GUI agents utilize LLMs to interpret user input and perform corresponding actions on the graphical user interface. They can handle complex tasks by planning and executing various steps, similar to how a human would interact with software. This allows for the automation of processes that previously required human intervention. Applications can be found in a wide range of areas, from software development and customer service to medical diagnostics and finance.

Challenges and Security Aspects

Despite the enormous potential, GUI agents also pose challenges, especially regarding trustworthiness and security. The complexity of LLMs makes it difficult to fully predict and control their behavior. Erroneous interpretations of user input or unforeseen interactions with the user interface can lead to undesirable results. Furthermore, there is a risk of security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers to steal sensitive data or manipulate systems.

Research and Development for Trustworthy GUI Agents

The research community is working intensively to improve the trustworthiness of GUI agents. Current research focuses include the development of more robust algorithms, the verification of agent actions, and the implementation of security mechanisms. An important aspect is the transparency of the decision-making process of GUI agents, to give users a better understanding of how they function. In addition, research is being conducted on methods to increase the robustness of GUI agents against attacks and ensure their security.

Future Perspectives

GUI agents have the potential to fundamentally change the way we interact with computers. With continued research and development, they will become increasingly powerful and reliable. Ensuring their trustworthiness, however, is crucial for widespread acceptance and successful integration into our everyday lives. Future developments will focus on improving the security, transparency, and robustness of GUI agents to fully realize their potential.

Bibliography: - Arora, S., et al. "GUI Agents: A Survey." arXiv preprint arXiv:2503.23434 (2025). - Qin, Z., et al. "A Survey on Trustworthy LLM Agents: Threats and Countermeasures." arXiv preprint arXiv:2412.13501 (2024). - GUI Agents: A Survey. themoonlight.io. - LLM-Brained-GUI-Agents-Survey. GitHub. - GUI Agents: A Survey. ResearchGate. - A Survey on Trustworthy LLM Agents: Threats and Countermeasures. Hugging Face. - GUI Agents Paper List. GitHub. - GUI Agents: A Survey. OpenReview. - A Survey on Trustworthy LLM Agents: Threats and Countermeasures. ResearchGate. - Building a GUI Agent with Langchain Visualizer. YouTube.