OpenAI is about to launch a new web browser that integrates artificial intelligence directly into the browsing experience. This development marks a significant step in the battle for control over how users access information online.
New browser combines search and AI assistance
According to sources at Reuters, OpenAI is planning to launch an AI web browser within a few weeks. The browser will be powered by the Operator AI agent, which can automatically make reservations, fill out forms, and perform other tasks on behalf of the user. This functionality aligns with OpenAI's strategy to develop more "agentic" AI applications.
The browser will feature a native ChatGPT interface, allowing users to interact directly with the chatbot without navigating to the OpenAI website. Like other major browsers, OpenAI uses Google's open-source Chromium engine as the foundation for their product. This week, competitor Perplexity also launched a Chromium-based browser called Comet, exclusively for subscribers at $200 per month. The browser defaults to using Perplexity's AI search engine and includes a built-in AI assistant.
Consequences for companies and market position
OpenAI's browser plans could have significant implications for companies that rely on Google's dominance in search and browsing. The integration of AI functionalities into the browser could fundamentally change the way employees search for information and perform tasks.
For Google, this represents a new threat, especially in light of the federal antitrust ruling that may force the company to sell Chrome. Both OpenAI and Perplexity have expressed interest in acquiring Chrome should Google be compelled to sell.
Strategic positioning in the AI browser landscape
OpenAI's browser plans are not a new phenomenon. Last year, The Information already reported that the company was considering a browser and had hired two former Google Chrome developers. OpenAI began integrating search capabilities into ChatGPT last year, and the development of a browser is a logical extension of this strategy.
The timing of this announcement, shortly after Perplexity's browser launch, suggests intensifying competition in the AI browser market. For companies, this means more options, but also the necessity to keep up with rapidly changing technology.