Someday quickly, maybe as early as subsequent week, OpenAI will observe up on its launch of ChatGPT agent with its AI-enabled internet browser.
Formally, neither OpenAI nor its often chatty CEO, Sam Altman, has something to say about this browser. Unofficially, it is an open secret that the corporate is engaged on one to compete not simply with the already transport AI-enabled internet browsers, Perplexity Comet, and Dia, however with the 800-pound gorilla of internet browsers, Google Chrome.
Why? Simply have a look at ChatGPT agent. For all the normal AI agent methods in its bag, resembling ordering groceries or reserving conferences, it is nonetheless an exterior program that runs its personal laptop to deal with “advanced duties from begin to end,” with a “visible browser that interacts with the online.” Behind the scenes, it leverages Operator’s skill to work together with web sites, Deep Analysis’s ability in synthesizing info, and ChatGPT’s intelligence and conversational fluency to ship good solutions.
As Altman mentioned at a Could 2025 Sequoia Capital occasion, individuals use ChatGPT otherwise relying on age: “Older individuals use ChatGPT as a Google alternative”, whereas “individuals of their 20s and 30s use it like a life advisor” and “individuals in faculty use it as an working system.” To do any of those, whether or not you are a Boomer, GenX, Millennial, or Technology Alpha, you utilize a browser.
So it makes good sense for OpenAI to supply a devoted internet browser. As we speak, most of us use our internet browsers for all our work. What number of tabs do you have got open proper now? Would you quite open one other, separate program or simply keep in your browser? Yeah, me too. I might quite keep within the browser.
What to anticipate from OpenAI’s AI browser
Subsequently, what I anticipate this system to appear to be is a Chromium-based internet browser — as a result of it is what everybody outdoors of Mozilla makes use of now — with a totally built-in AI assistant. This may mix every part that the present assistant gives with full browser integration. So, for instance, similar to Comet already does, will probably be capable of pull knowledge out of your open tabs to provide higher responses to your requests.
As well as, since Chromium is a de facto business commonplace, OpenAI will not must reinvent the browser wheel. It is going to additionally make it simpler for OpenAI’s browser to assist present web sites, extensions, and internet apps. That approach, its builders can give attention to integrating superior AI options.
Early stories purporting to come back from builders and beta releases recommend it can additionally embrace options resembling AI-generated summaries of articles, movies, and PDFs, and assist for photos, voice, and information, constructing on capabilities seen in GPT-4o. As well as, past conventional autofill, the browser is purported to have the ability to intelligently full types and schedule duties based mostly on consumer intent. For instance, I take advantage of completely different e mail accounts for enterprise and private use. Theoretically, it might know to make use of my work account for my Delta and Marriott journey reservations, however my private account for my Amazon orders.
By proudly owning the browser, OpenAI will get entry not simply to consumer questions, however just about all consumer conduct and knowledge. Traditionally, that is been the cornerstone of Google’s enterprise mannequin, and OpenAI, and all the opposite AI firms, would like to seize that brass ring as properly.
In flip, which means the extra entry OpenAI will get to your knowledge, the much less you will be giving to Google or different third events. That is a win-win from the place Altman sits.
The AI browser competitors
As for its AI browser opponents, OpenAI’s technique seems to be about embedding AI because the consumer’s digital proxy. In the most effective of all doable worlds, you will stand up within the morning, and begin working and enjoying with OpenAI till the shut of the day.
Comet with Perplexity, however, has a extra conventional take. It is a browser for deep researchers and professionals, with an emphasis on summarization, contextual understanding, supply citing, and cross-tab automation. It replaces conventional search with Perplexity’s personal reply engine.
Dia is a ground-up rebuild with AI because the default mode of interplay. It guarantees a “workspace OS,” the place AI proactively manages workflows, remembers session historical past, suggests subsequent actions, and contextualizes intent. With it, you are not a lot looking as you are letting it drive you to your locations and solutions.
Let’s not neglect Google has a horse on this race, too. Google’s strategy is incremental however bold. It has been embedding conversational AI into each day looking whereas avoiding sudden, disruptive modifications. For instance, Gemini in Chrome has introduced conversational AI instantly into the browser interface. With it, now you can invoke Google’s Gemini proper from the present internet web page you probably have one among Google’s AI subscriptions: The $20-per-month Google AI Professional plan or the $250-per-month Google AI Extremely plan.
Nonetheless, it is unlikely that Google will combine AI as deeply into its browsers as different firms will. You have to do not forget that the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) remains to be pushing Google to divest Chrome. Integrating AI deeply into Chrome will not assist its case. Certainly, it is doable OpenAI would possibly find yourself shopping for Chrome.
After all, Microsoft is much more all-in on AI in its packages. Microsoft Edge is now a Copilot-native browser. Customers can entry Copilot with a single click on from the sidebar or by typing @copilot within the deal with bar, turning the browser right into a real-time AI assistant that may reply questions, summarize pages, and assist with inventive duties, all with out leaving the present tab.
As you additionally virtually actually know, AI is now baked into Home windows 11. Microsoft began constructing AI into Home windows in 2023. Nowadays, Copilot is such an integral a part of Home windows that with Copilot Imaginative and prescient on Home windows 10 and 11, it might probably look over your digital shoulder at every part in your display that can assist you work.
Want I add that at this level, in the event you use any of those packages, you may kiss your privateness goodbye?
That mentioned, which will probably be greatest for you? Personally, I favor Perplexity and Comet, but it surely’s too early to say for sure. AI packages change so rapidly that it is virtually unattainable to maintain up with them. I would not decide to any of them at this level. I might, however, kick their tires. Chances are high you will be utilizing one among them someday quickly.
