OpenAI rumored to launch AI-Powered web browser
Created on July 9|Last edited on July 9
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Reuters is reporting that OpenAI is preparing to launch a new web browser in the coming weeks that could directly challenge Google Chrome. While OpenAI has not officially confirmed the product, three people familiar with the matter say the company is nearing release. The browser would be powered by OpenAI’s artificial intelligence systems and offer a reimagined way for users to navigate the internet. This move signals OpenAI’s ambitions to expand beyond chat-based interfaces and into core internet infrastructure.
AI features and assistant functions
The browser will reportedly feature a native chat interface similar to ChatGPT and allow for deeper integration of AI agents. These agents would be able to carry out tasks for users, such as filling out forms or booking services, directly on websites without requiring constant manual interaction. This approach aims to make browsing more conversational and task-oriented, reducing the need for traditional point-and-click navigation. Such functionality, if effective and widely adopted, could shift expectations around what browsers should do.
Data strategy and google rivalry
A major factor in OpenAI’s decision to build a standalone browser appears to be data. The browser could give OpenAI access to detailed information about user web activity, which has long been a cornerstone of Google’s dominance in digital advertising. Chrome’s ability to route traffic through Google’s search engine and track behavior has helped Alphabet capture nearly three-quarters of its revenue from ads. OpenAI’s browser, if widely used, could pressure this model by diverting traffic and data flows away from Google.
Chromium base and team origins
The browser is reportedly being built on Chromium, the open-source code base that also underpins Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. That makes it technically compatible with existing web standards while still allowing OpenAI to build its own features on top. Reuters notes that OpenAI previously hired two senior Google engineers who had worked on Chrome since its early days, which suggests this product has been in development for some time. Though OpenAI once considered buying Chrome outright if forced by regulators, the company ultimately chose to build its own.
Broader competition and regulatory backdrop
OpenAI won’t be alone in trying to reimagine the browser. Other startups like Perplexity and The Browser Company have already released AI-first browsing tools this year. Meanwhile, regulators are watching Chrome closely. The US Justice Department has accused Google of illegally monopolizing online search, and a judge has ruled that Alphabet may be forced to divest key parts of its advertising infrastructure. OpenAI’s browser project fits into this moment, as Big Tech’s foundational platforms face both legal and technological disruption.
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